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Library Research Process

Key Resource: William B. Badke, Research Strategies: Finding Your Way through the Information Fog, 7th ed. (Bloomington: iUniverse, Inc., 2021)  (REF Z 710 .B23 2021).

 

Please use the link below for a downloadable version of this page. 

  1. Choose a topic (Badke 2021, 47-57)

    1. Get a working knowledge of the topic

      1. “can talk about it for one minute without repeating yourself” (Badke 2021, 52)

      2. Credo

      3. Redeemer Reference Resources LibGuide

      4. Wiki? (caveat emptor; cannot be used as a source!)

    2. Narrow the topic to one aspect

  1. Create a problem-based Research Question (Badke 2021, 52)

    1. “Identify controversies or questions related to your narrowed topic” (Badke 2021, 58)

    2. Research Question vs Thesis Statement:

      1. Research Question: A problem to be solved

      2. Thesis statement: Tentative solution to the research question

    3. Not all research questions are suitable (Badke 2021, 60-62; 284-297)

      1. e.g. too fuzzy, multi-part, open-ended, too vague, impossible to answer.

  1. Create a preliminary outline (Badke 2021, 64-69)
    1.  Create a preliminary outline of 3 or 4 points drawn from your research question / thesis statement to serve as a blueprint for your research.
  1. Search for scholarly sources @ Redeemer (not an exhaustive list, for more databases click here)
    1. Preparing for your search
      1. Create a list of search terms
        1. Begin with keyword searches that use terminology drawn from your research question / thesis statement .
        2. Use your preliminary outline to brainstorm for more search keywords
    2. Begin with these databases:
      1. WorldCat Discovery (Catalogue) (Great Option!)
      2. EBSCO
      3. ProQuest
      4. JSTOR
      5. Google Scholar
      6. Canada Commons (Canada specific)
      7. Dimensions (free account required)

  1. Read, organize, take notes

    1. Reading (Badke 2021, 220-227)

    2. Note Taking (Badke 2021, 230-240)

  1. Refine question & Outline (Badke 2021, 283-324)

Peter Turkstra Library,  Redeemer University , 777 Garner Road East, Ancaster, ON, L9K 1J4, Canada
Circulation Desk Telephone: 905.648.2139 ext. 4266, Email:   library@redeemer.ca