Conducting Library Research
Looking for information for a research paper, oral report, or class presentation can be overwhelming and frustrating. A research strategy is a series of steps one takes to find relevant information. Although there is no single plan that answers every reference need, the following steps form a useful outline to help you get started for researching a topic in the humanities and social sciences.
- Select a Topic
- Find Background Information (PDF) - on hot topics & current events
- Find
Primary Sources - great information on finding primary sources in libraries
(UC Berkeley)
- Using Primary Sources on the Web - gives advice on finding and evaluating primary sources found on the Internet (History Section of ALA)
- Special Collections and Binghamton University Archives
- Find
Books on Your Topic (PDF)
- Try the online tutorial - Find Books
- Find
Journal Articles (PDF)
- Try the online tutorial - Find Articles
- Types of Periodicals (PDF)
- Locate other relevant information as necessary:
- Search the Internet and the World Wide Web
- Web Page Checklist - steps to evaluate online content
- Write Your Paper and Cite Your Sources