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How Do I Begin My Research?

1. KNOW YOUR ASSIGNMENT:

  • What is the intent of the assignment?How long should the paper or project be? How much time is allocated?
  • Questions about your assignment? Ask your instructor.


SELECT A TOPIC:

  • Choose a topic that is of interest to you.
  • Survey your topic to get the overall picture. This will help you decide on a focus, familiarize yourself with key terms, people associated with the topic.


Look in General Encyclopedias, such as:

  • The World Book Encyclopedia REF AE 5 .W55
  • The New Encyclopaedia Britannica REF AE 5 .E363
  • Determine the general call numbers for books on your subject, using the Library of Congress Classification System. Handouts are available in the Library or see the Library of Congress Classification System summary on this web page.

    Look in Reference Books on the second floor of the library, under these call numbers for more background information and ideas for research topics.
    Based on your preliminary research, write your preliminary research question or thesis statement.


MAKE YOUR TOPIC MORE MANAGEABLE - by answering these questions:

  • What is the time period of your research?
  • For example, the last two years, the 1990s, a comparison of the 1960s and the 1990s, the eighteenth century, etc. What is the geographic location of your research?
  • For example, the United States, New York State, Niagara County, etc.
  • What aspect of your topic will you focus on?
  • For example, social, psychological, legal, medical, economic aspects, etc.

2. REWRITE YOUR RESEARCH QUESTION OR THESIS STATEMENT to reflect your specific focus.

Library of Congress Classification System
A General Works; General Encyclopedias
B - BD Philosophy
BF Psychology
BH - BX Religion, Ethics
C - D Collective Biographies, World History
E - F American History; Local History
G - GC Geography, Oceanography
GE - GR Anthropology
GV Physical Education, Sports, Dance
H Social Sciences, Business
J Political Science
K Law
L Education
M Music
N Fine Arts
P - PZ Language and Literature
QA Math, Computer Science
QB - QH Physical Sciences, Chemistry, Physics
QK - QR Biology, Botany, Zoology, Anatomy, Physiology
R Medicine, Nursing
S Agriculture
T Technology
U - V Military and Naval Science
Z Information Science

 


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