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The Gospels (BIB 303): Research Skills

Information Literacy @ Cairn

Research Skills, a large piece of Information Literacy, are built over time.
Use the Masland Library's Information Literacy Module to learn more so you can:

  • Find quality sources efficiently
  • Evaluate their credibility for strong arguments
  • Use evidence ethically to avoid plagiarism

 

Find

Moving from research assignment to thesis statement:

Your assignment may specify particular areas that can help you choose your topic; otherwise, you can also narrow your focus with the steps below:

1. Area: Start with a general area of interest. 

2. Subject: List subjects that fit within that area.

3. Topic: Select just one of the subjects to be the topic of your research.

4. Aspect: List different aspects of the topic.

5. Description: Choose the aspect of the topic that you want to explore further and formulate a description of your topic.

Choosing a Topic

Learn how to select a research topic with the Information Literacy Module. Explore this tutorial to discover strategies for identifying a compelling and manageable topic for your assignment.

 

How to Narrow Your Topic

Refine your research skills with the Information Literacy Module. Watch this video to learn strategies for narrowing your topic, including how to sharpen your focus, conduct strategic searches, and adapt your approach for a more effective research process.

Keywords

Many databases and search engines use keywords to locate information. To effectively find resources, you will need to break down your topic or research question into the most important ideas or concepts.

Example:

  • Topic: The role of social media on college students' procrastination habits. 

The specifics of the topic will help with selecting sources, but for searching, you only need the most essential components. 

Try a Search: Social Media AND College Students AND Procrastination

Choosing and Using Keywords

Explore this Information Literacy Module tutorial to master selecting, refining, and expanding search keywords to find the most relevant information for your research topic.

Use Your Resources

Sometimes, scholars use terms that you might not be familiar with or that might mean something very specific within the discipline. While searching, look for unfamiliar terms or words that appear regularly or repeat concepts. Try searching for those terms and see if you find more relevant sources. 

Keep an Eye Out

Oftentimes, you can see Subject Terms while searching for resources. These can help you get an idea of what the article is about and provide relevant terms to explore. 

Looking for a particular term?

Use a "PHRASE SEARCH" strategy to search for several words in a phrase, such as a proper name. 

  • Cloning AND "Genetic Engineering" 

This will bring back results that only use that exact phrase. 

 

Brainstorm 

Most words have synonyms that mean the same or very similar things. For each keyword in your topic, try to come up with at least one synonym. Not every term will have an accurate synonym; however, exploring similar concepts or topics can help to find related material.

 

 

 

 

 

Search Techniques, Part 1 

Explore this Information Literacy Module tutorial to master searching strategies like brainstorming keywords, utilizing Boolean operators, and phrase searching. 

Search Techniques, Part 2

Explore this Information Literacy Module tutorial to master in-depth searching strategies relating to Full-Text searching vs Field Searching, locating Qualitative vs. Quantitative research, running a Subject Search, and using Truncation & Wildcard searches.

Use

Why cite sources?

When you use someone else’s ideas—whether quoted or paraphrased—you must give them credit through citation. Citations show the scope of your research, support your arguments, and add credibility to your work. They also guide readers to the sources you used, helping them follow your research path.

Tools for Organizing and Citing Works 

Below are some resources to help you organize your work and information on citing sources. You can also check out the Citing Sources Guide

Organizing Information 

Collecting information together based on major points related to our topic will help to highlight more significant concepts discussed throughout the research you have found. The role of research is to bring these ideas together in a larger scholarly conversation.

Find out more information about this aspect of research here: 

Scholarship as Conversation

A well-structured approach to organizing your research is crucial for developing a coherent conversation based on your findings. Below are some suggestions on how to arrange your information. 

Build a Bibliography

As sources related to your topic are gathered together, keep track of the bibliographic information to find it again. An excellent option for organizing resources is NoodleTools, which helps you create citations, organize sources, and manage your research in one place. It’s an easy way to stay on track and properly credit your sources. Follow the link below: 

NoodleTools

Take notes

Take note of specific concepts, chapters, or pages related to the topic for each source. 

For example: 

Research Strategies (5th ed), Badke, W., iUniverse, 2014.

  • Chapter 8 explores how to read for research, which could be helpful for anyone wanting to take steps to analyze information and begin to process it in relation to other research. Badke discusses strategies for quoting, summarizing, and paraphrasing readings, which can help organize information (pp. 202 - 207). 

They Say / I Say (6th ed.), Graff, G. & Birkenstein, C., W. W. Norton & Company, 2024.

  • Graff & Birkenstein explore the role of scholarship as a conversation and how we, as authors, can combine ideas to build upon that conversation (pp. 1-4). 
  • Chapter three explores the art of quoting others in texts to build upon an idea and strengthen your response by synthesizing other research (pp. 47-58). 

Connect Ideas 

Bring those ideas together as you write. 

For Example: 

  • Combining ideas from other research helps build a stronger thesis argument. Badke (2024) examines the practice of citing others' work to lend authority to one's own, thereby enhancing the credibility of the research. Similarly, Graff & Birkins explain that using others' works in research brings out the larger scholarly conversation that one works join as they research (pp. 1-4). By synthesizing these ideas in research, it's clear that arguments can be made to give credit to the voices present in research while also building on one's work and looking for opportunities to add to the conversation humbly. 

Review

Once the project has been drafted, it's time to confirm the paper is complete. Keep in mind the scope of the project, the particular assignment, and any requirements that may be required (number of pages, types of sources, citation format, etc.). As weaknesses are identified, note them to be addressed in a revision. 

Evaluate

Understanding Types of Resources 

The table below covers some of the most common types of sources that you are likely to encounter when doing academic research. These are not the only types of sources, however. You may also encounter government documents, grey literature, data, and tertiary sources.

Consider the types of evidence needed to answer your research question or make your argument.

Are certain types of sources recommended or required?

Some instructors require you to use only scholarly, peer-reviewed journals, primary sources, newspapers, or books from the library, while others might leave things more open-ended.

 

Types of Sources

Watch this video from the Information Literacy Module to master selecting and evaluating diverse source types, ensuring they meet your academic research needs by understanding their strengths, limitations, and quality.

Source Types

Explore this Information Literacy Module tutorial to navigate diverse sources and discover how to identify, locate, and evaluate relevant source types to support your academic research needs.

Examining Sources

Examining sources involves diving into the resources you have found relating to your topic or research question. 

  • Critically read and understand the content of your sources.
  • Identifying the main arguments, evidence, and conclusions.

Watch a short video here: 

Evaluating Sources

Investigating and Verifying Sources

To get a deeper understanding of the criteria above, explore the following videos and tutorials from the Information Literacy Module:

What is Authority 

Introduction to Bias

Types of Basis 

Understanding Misinformation

Evaluating Digital Sources Using Lateral Reading

Reading and note-taking tips

Outlining common themes or threads throughout the research can help in the later parts of the research process. Awareness of the common themes in the sources will also help identify any missing pieces where further research may be necessary. 

Learn more below: 

Anatomy of a Research Paper 

How to Read Scholarly Materials

 

General tips: 

  • Read articles more than once. 
  • Read for the big picture first, then reread for the details. 
  • Look up words/concepts that are unfamiliar. 
  • Take notes in your own words, perhaps as answers to the questions below.

Reading smaller portions, specifically tailored to the questions you want to answer, can be helpful when reading peer-reviewed or academic articles. 

Research Help

Need help...

  • Thinking through your topic?
  • Finding background research?
  • Accessing material?
  • Building your information literacy skills?

Schedule a Research Appointment

Request an in-person or virtual consultation with a librarian for an in-depth research appointment. 

 

Writing Lab

  • The Writing Lab offers one-on-one help with academic writing and assignments.
  • The Writing Lab tutoring service is open to all undergraduate, graduate, and degree-completion students.

Lab Hours
Mon-Fri: 10 am-5 pm
Online appointments are available by appointment only.

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

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