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Head, Reference and Library Services
The Research Process
- DEFINE - Selecting and understanding your topic is usually the first step in the research process. In this section of the guide we provide tips and resources to help you do this. Then we discuss how to break your topic into keywords/terms that you can use when searching for information.
- FIND - This section of the guide shows you how to search the library catalogue and databases, and how to use Google effectively. We show you how to develop a search string, how information is organized on the library shelves, and how to use images that you find online.
- EVALUATE - How do you know if an article or website contains good, reliable information? Does the information really relate to your topic? This section of the guide gives you tools to evaluate the information that you find, so you can select good resources for your assignments, or for any type of research.
- WRITE - Here you'll find links to on-campus, online, and library resources which might help you to write better papers and assignments.
- CITE - Covers why and how you must tell your readers where you got your information. We'll also provide handy tips for avoiding plagiarism.
- REVIEW - Think about research as a circular process, not a straight line. This section of the guide encourages you to review your work and revisit previous steps before you hand in your assignment.
