LSU Libraries - The Research Process

CONTENTS:
Introduction
Clearly define your topic
Collect/find information
Evaluate the information you find
Use and/or do something with the information
Use the information ethically and legally

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Where do you look for information?

Reference Tools - There are a wide variety of dictionaries, encyclopedias and almanacs. Often you can find some which are ideally suited for information on your topic. Use reference tools to look for definitions, explanations, and to identify other possible sources of information. Reference tools can also help you find other ways to describe what you are looking for, i.e. develop more search terms.
For more information on reference tools, see the Reference Tools Tutorial.
A library's Online Catalog - Use the online catalog to look for books, Government Documents, and other information sources.
For more information on using the Online Catalog, see the Online Catalog Tutorials.
For more information on Government Documents, see the Government Documents Tutorials.
Periodical Literature - Journals, newspapers, and magazines are all valuable sources of information. Print indexes and electronic databases are used to find citations for scholarly articles and other types of periodical articles.
For more information on finding articles, see the Finding Periodical Articles Tutorial.
The Internet - you can find some great information on the Internet, but you must always carefully evaluate the web pages you find. Educational sites (.edu) and US Government sites (.gov) are often reliable sources for information.
For more information on using the Internet, see the Internet Tutorial.
Anything else you can think of!
- Do you know someone who is knowledgeable on your topic? Do they have books, journals, pamphlets you can look at. Can you interview them?
- Visit a museum that deals with your topic.
- If you have any resources in hand, use their bibliography. The sources in a bibliography can be great resources to furthur your own research.
- Pamphlets, Flyers
- etc.
- Ask a librarian! There are a number of ways to find us at the LSU Libraries. Library hours are posted online at http://www.lib.lsu.edu/admin/hours, if you would like to call or stop by the reference desk, or you can contact us by e-mail or Live Assistance chat. See the Ask a Librarian web page for links.

Review Question:

Books are always your best source of information.

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URL: http://www.lib.lsu.edu/instruction/research/research-process07.html
Last Updated: Wednesday, 29-Aug-2007 16:46:55 CDT