Introduction to Library Research

The research process is series of steps to get you from an assignment into the writing process. The steps are not linear, but recursive – you will probably backtrack, zigzag, and sidestep your way through it.

► The research process is initiated by an assignment or a prompt.

► The prompt determines the paper or presentation type. Common paper types are informative, analysis, argumentative, persuasive, and research.

► The type of paper generates a question. Why? All research is problem solving with information. You may hear this step called the research question.

► The question includes your topic, reveals your information needs, and is preliminarily answered by a working thesis statement. Your working thesis will evolve as you learn more about your topic and become better equipped to answer your research question.

► Test your topic with web searches and tertiary sources. Wikipedia is the best-known tertiary source. Tertiary sources compile, summarize and repackage information. Dictionaries, encyclopedias, textbooks and handbooks are all tertiary sources.

► Knowing your information needs to answer your research question helps you develop a plan for finding information sources. Common information needs are background, current events, data/statistics, analysis, opinion, and research.

► Your information needs drive your search plan. A search plan consists of search tools, search strategies, and you as a searcher. Tools are where you look for information. Strategies are how you use the tools. What the searcher does, and how they react to what happens as they search is the most crucial element of the search. Searchers need to be persistent; they don’t give up after one failed search. Searchers need to be flexible; they may need to change their strategy or their tool to find results or better results. Finally, searchers need to be willing to ask for help when they need it. Researchers at the highest levels still use the library!

► A solid search plan finds relevant and appropriate sources to help answer your research question. Sources can be categorized by audience, proximity, and packaging. Each is helpful in its own way, and it’s important to understand your assignment’s requirements, your information needs, and how sources can help meet both.

► The sources you find or create will test and transform your thesis, evolving it from a working thesis into your paper’s thesis statement. If your sources support your thesis, you are ready to begin the writing process. If your sources do not support your thesis, you need to repeat the research process. Remember, research is recursive; expect to backtrack, zigzag, and sidestep your way through it.