This document provides tips for research success at the Gateway Community College Library. It outlines important steps for choosing a topic, conducting background research, developing a thesis statement, finding and evaluating sources, and organizing information. Key tips include thinking about requirements like length and sources needed, browsing subjects of interest, developing search keywords, noting the type and date of sources, and using an outline to structure the research process. The document emphasizes evaluating sources and emphasizes that librarians can help with the overall search for information.

1. GATEWAY COMMUNITY
COLLEGE LIBRARY
HINTS FOR RESEARCH
SUCCESS!

2. BEFORE YOU START
(Things to think about!)
How LONG should the paper/speech be?

How many SOURCES do I have to include?

What TYPES of sources can I/must I use?

How much TIME do I have?

What STYLE MANUAL should I use for my

“Works Cited” page?

3. Choosing a topic
Think about your INTERESTS.

Look through SUBJECT

ENCYCLOPEDIAS, NEWSPAPERS,
MAGAZINES, INTERNET.
Browse the library SHELVES and

CATALOG.
Look for type, quantity and format of

information.

4. Background Reading
Choose KEYWORDS to use in searches.

Identify concepts, people, dates.

Use online database subject lists and

indexes to reference books to find
RELATED TERMS.
Work from the GENERAL to the

SPECIFIC.

5. Thesis Statement
Statement of OPINION:

“Garlic is good for your health.”
Question:

“Will garlic ruin your social life?”

6. Background Material
REFERENCE Books

CIRCULATING Books

INTERNET Sites

.com = commercial site
.org = nonprofit organization
.gov = government site
.edu = educational site

7. Find Current Information
Online DATABASES.

GENERAL and SUBJECT specific.
Popular MAGAZINES

Professional (“refereed”) JOURNALS.

TRADE journals

Newspapers


8. EVALUATE PRINTED
INFORMATION
Who is the AUTHOR?

What is the PURPOSE?

What SOURCES are cited?

WHEN was the information published or

updated?
ACCURATE statistics?


9. EVALUATE WEBSITES
Note URL, HEADER, BODY, FOOTER

TYPE of page: Personal, Informational, News,

Advocacy.
AUTHORITY: Who wrote it? Domain?

Sponsoring organization?
CONTENT: Philosophy, fact, opinion, links,

sources cited?
DATE: Statistics, accuracy.


10. Organize Your Information
Make an OUTLINE.

Thesis statement.

DEFINITIONS, history of topic,

background.
PROBLEMS, controversial issues.

CURRENT information

Wrap-up


11. Cite your sources!
Style manual – MLA, APA

The “P” word.


12. SUMMARY
Choose a topic – broaden or narrow

Make an outline!

Define your topic

History/Background

Key words and names

Thesis statement

Current journal/magazine articles & websites

Wrap-up


13. THE FINISHED PRODUCT
LIBRARIANS: The ultimate search

engine!
GOOD LUCK!
