What is your Research topic?
You can share as a question, your thesis statement, big concepts...what interests you and what will you be exploring for your paper?
To find this information we use a variety of sources, but how do you search for these sources? Based on searches you've already done what keywords did you use to search? Click here to add your response.
To find this information we use a variety of sources, but how do you search for these sources? Based on searches you've already done what keywords did you use to search? Click here to add your response.
When choosing keywords, you want to choose only the essential words. These are the top three or four concepts to ensure you're getting precise results. But you should avoid combining more than four concepts so that your results aren't so specific you don't get anything from your search!
Coming up with keywords is an art and takes practice! But one really quick way to ensure you're coming up with good keywords is eliminating relationship words, articles, and punctuation (pro, con, negative, positive, a, the, of, in, ?, !, etc. etc.)
Coming up with keywords is an art and takes practice! But one really quick way to ensure you're coming up with good keywords is eliminating relationship words, articles, and punctuation (pro, con, negative, positive, a, the, of, in, ?, !, etc. etc.)
What sources are you already consulting? Where do you search?
When you're searching, how do you know that what you're finding is authoritative? How do you determine if you'll use something as a source? Is it CRAAP?
Currency: When was the information published or posted? Has the information been revised or updated? Does your topic require current information or will older sources work?
Relevance: Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question? Who is the intended audience? Is the information too basic or too advanced for your needs? Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is the one you would like to use?
Authority: Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor? What are the author’s credentials or affiliations? Is the author qualified to write on the topic? On a website, does the URL reveal anything about the author (example: .com, .edu, .gov, .org, .net)?
Accuracy: Where does the information come from? Is the information supported by evidence? Has the information been reviewed by someone other than the author? Can you verify the information from another source? Are there spelling errors, grammar mistakes, or typos?
Purpose: What is the purpose of the information: to inform, teach, sell, entertain, or persuade? Do the authors make their intentions clear?
Currency: When was the information published or posted? Has the information been revised or updated? Does your topic require current information or will older sources work?
Relevance: Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question? Who is the intended audience? Is the information too basic or too advanced for your needs? Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is the one you would like to use?
Authority: Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor? What are the author’s credentials or affiliations? Is the author qualified to write on the topic? On a website, does the URL reveal anything about the author (example: .com, .edu, .gov, .org, .net)?
Accuracy: Where does the information come from? Is the information supported by evidence? Has the information been reviewed by someone other than the author? Can you verify the information from another source? Are there spelling errors, grammar mistakes, or typos?
Purpose: What is the purpose of the information: to inform, teach, sell, entertain, or persuade? Do the authors make their intentions clear?
How to search Google:
- Search quotations or exact phrases using quotation marks “”
example: “personal bubble” - Ignore words that aren’t relevant to your topic by using -
example: twins -Minnesota -movie - If you find a website you really like and want to see other websites that are related, type related:URL to find similar websites
example: related:finaid.org - If you only want websites that are educational or published by the government, you can limit your search to certain domains by typing site:.domain
example: fluoride site:.gov
Don’t forget, as you learn more about your topic, your keywords might change! Researching is a process that evolves so don’t be afraid to do multiple searchers, revise, and adapt!
But what happens when you find an article on Google, you click on it, and then all of a sudden it's asking you for $money$ in order to access it?!
Check out your options at COCC: https://www.cocc.edu/library/
And don't forget your public library: http://www.deschuteslibrary.org/
Don't forget to use your selected sources responsibly!
What is plagiarism? What does it mean to cite your sources?
When you're looking to cite a source, make sure you're choosing the right style--there are a lot out there and they mean different things! Not sure how to cite your source? Try using resources like the Purdue OWL guide or a citation builder like Citation Machine.
When you're looking to cite a source, make sure you're choosing the right style--there are a lot out there and they mean different things! Not sure how to cite your source? Try using resources like the Purdue OWL guide or a citation builder like Citation Machine.
Need help?
You have a lot of help right here at Seven Peaks, but you can always contact me if you have any questions!