How to Research A Topic
Use these steps to research a topic and document your sources.
| STEP 1: Choose & Develop a Topic | Select a topic, narrow or broaden it, and identify keywords to search for your topic. |
| STEP 2: Find Background Information | Put your topic in context by looking in general information sources. Find major concepts and theories relating to the topic. |
| STEP 3: Find Books & Videos | Use the library catalog to find books and videos (both in print and online) that relate to your topic. |
| STEP 4: Find Articles | Use library databases to find articles. Learn the difference between scholarly and popular articles. |
| STEP 5: Evaluate Internet Sources | Find information on the Internet relating to your topic. Evaluate the information for reliability and scholarly content. |
| STEP 6: Avoid Plagiarism | Learn what plagiarism is, see examples, and acquire strategies for avoiding plagiarism in your papers. |
| STEP 7: Cite Your Sources | Cite your print and electronic sources correctly in MLA, APA, and Turabian styles. |
