Getting Started with research and keywords. From the Libraries of Montgomery County Community College. Updated 8-8-12 by librarians Mary Beth Parkinson and Jerry Yarnetsky. Contact us at jyarnets-at-mc3.edu

1. MC3 Libraries
Learn how to locate sources
for your research paper.
Research

2. MC3 Libraries
What is
Research?

3. MC3 Libraries
Research is a systematic
approach to defining,
refining, gathering and
evaluating information.
With a world of information, we need to be systematic to find anything…

4. MC3 Libraries
Hi. I’m librarian
Mary Beth Parkinson.
I’ll guide you through
researching a topic using
a range of print and
electronic sources.
Need Help? Ask Us!
Brendlinger Library
(215) 641-6594
West Campus Library
(610) 718-1864
IM a librarian
refdesk@mc3.edu

5. MC3 Libraries
Choose a topic
Write down a topic you want to learn
more about. For example…
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Your topic will gain focus as you do research.
Photo by Sgt. Russell Gilchrest http://www.army.mil/yearinphotos/2010/february.html

6. MC3 Libraries
Start with
the basics!
Familiarize yourself with
your topic by finding
background information in a
subject encyclopedia.
Your textbook is also a good source
for background information!

7. MC3 Libraries
Subject encyclopedias
You will find …
• An overview of your topic;
• Ideas to focus your topic;
• Keywords to search for
books and articles;
• Bibliographies to point out
useful books, webpages, and
articles.
Talk with a librarian to find the
best print or online encyclopedia!

8. MC3 Libraries
Using a subject
encyclopedia
To find articles in a print
encyclopedia, check the
index located in the last
volume.
Here is an example from the
Encyclopedia of Psychology.
Arrows point to articles that
may be of use.
The numbers represent
volume: page number. The
primary article is in bold.

9. MC3 Libraries
Also on our
website…
We have a number of
online encyclopedias and
reports on current issues.
On our library website, go
to Research then choose
“Current Issues” from the
“Refine by Subject” menu.
Look for…
• Credo Reference
• CQ Researcher
• Opposing Viewpoints Our list of research resources changes
automatically with each subject you select!

10. MC3 Libraries
As you read your
encyclopedia article,
highlight keywords.
Highlighters: photosteve101/Flikr

11. MC3 Libraries
Keywords
are words that define
or describe your topic
Skeleton Key: Courtney Mault/Flikr

12. MC3 Libraries
For
example

13. MC3 Libraries
Brainstorm
your own keywords.
Try synonyms of words
you found in your reading.
Also consider people, places and
terminology related to your topic

14. MC3 Libraries
Focus your topic.
After you collect keywords, try focusing
your topic by writing your ideas as
questions. For example…
How has care for veterans suffering from
PTSD improved in the past century?

15. MC3 Libraries
Keywords
unlock
information
Keyhole photo: Just Chaos/Flikr
You will search by
keyword to find
books & articles tagged
with matching keywords.

16. MC3 Libraries
Let’s compare our libraries to Facebook…
On Facebook, photos are tagged with
names. Search a name and find
photos of that person.
Mary Beth
Sarah
Jerry

17. MC3 Libraries
In our libraries books & articles
are tagged with titles, authors,
subjects and descriptions.

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Now let’s put
your keywords
to work
Go to the next tutorial
and let’s find books,
articles, and websites

19. MC3 Libraries
Need Help?
Visit, Call,
IM or Email
Brendlinger Library
(215) 641-6594
West Campus Library
(610) 718-1864
IM a librarian
refdesk@mc3.edu