library research
TRANSCRIPT
Library ResearchThink strategically to save time!
Learn to:
Think critically
about your
paper topic
Maximize
library
resources
As you go through this toolkit, answer the questions below to get you headed in the right direction with your research topic
Getting Started
Most students think the first step for research is diving into books
Let’s be honest
Your first step should be thinking through your topic
Careful planning at the beginning will save you time!
However…
Flickr Status Frustration
They will help you find sources you didn’t even know existed
They are research wizards and will help you navigate databases like a pro
They often have the inside scoop from your professor about your assignment
Why you should talk to a librarian
Before starting your research:
1. Describe the assignment requirements2. Develop your topic3. Focus your topic4. Identify keywords5. Talk to a librarian
Plan ahead and save time
Understanding your assignment from the start will save you time by ensuring you start in the right direction
Step 1: Assignment requirements
What class is this paper for? Who is your professor or instructor?
Step 1: Assignment requirements
What is the specific word/page count?
Step 1: Assignment requirements
Briarpress.org
Do you need: Historical or current
material? Primary sources? Technical data or
statistics?
Step 1: Assignment requirements
BooksArticlesNewspapersDataPhotographsPrimary Sources
This is Sarah Sarah has to write a 4 page
paper for her History 101 class. Her professor is Dr. Smith, and she has asked the students to use at least 3 peer-reviewed sources and 1 primary source
Step 1: Example
Check your syllabus and course notes to find a major theme or area of interest for you
Imagine you are describing your topic to a friend. In your own words, explain what you are researching
Step 2: Develop your topic
Sarah’s prof has asked the class to explore the Battle of Britain, and Germany’s use of air warfare to try to capture the UK
Sarah is specifically interested in why Germany’s tactics failed and how it affected their war effort for both sides
Step 2: Example
It is important to set the parameters of your research topic to ensure it’s not too broad
Too broad = too many results Too narrow = not enough
results
STEP 3: Focus your topic
Ways to help focus your topic: Read the abstracts from a
handful of articles Read encyclopedia entries
on your topic
Step 3: Focus your topic
Some examples of parameters to focus your topic are:
Geographic Areas
Ex. Canada, North America
Period of Time
Ex. pre-1970’s, current, post-2005
Particular Demographi
cs
Ex. students, specific culture,athletes
STEP 3: Focus your Topic
Sarah will examine Germany’s experience in the Battle of Britain, as well as only examining sources up to autumn of 1940
Since the paper is only 4 pages, Sarah will only focus on how the battle affected the Axis Powers
Step 3: Example
Most library databases do not work like Google – they search exactly what you type
That’s why it’s best to search using single words or short phrases – not long sentences
STEP 4: Identify keywords
Sarah will search through the databases using these words & phrases: Battle of Britain Luftwaffe Germany Axis 1940
Step 4: Example
Reference librarians are specialists in finding information which means they can save you time in your research process
Go through the four steps for your paper and bring it in to a reference librarian
STEP 5: Talk to a librarian
Visit library.ubc.ca:
Step 5: Talk to a librarian
Sarah went to library.ubc.ca and found her subject librarian, Alex Wong
She went to talk to Alex and brought her answers to the previous 4 steps so that she could make the best use of Alex’s knowledge
Step 5: Example