Step #1 ~ Find Search Terms

How to narrow or broaden your topic: Learn More: Click Here!

It will facilitate the research process if you spend time listing your subject keywords. When doing this you need to consider the following:

Spelling variants, eg behaviour / behavior
Variations of a root word, eg feminism / feminist / feminine
Single and plural versions of words
Relevant abbreviations and acronyms, eg EU or EEC for European Union
Technical terms and jargon, eg Hansard for Parliamentary Debates
Alternative usage and vocabulary, eg narcotics / drugs, Tories / Conservatives
Alternative meanings and contexts, eg web, mouse
Changes in terminology, eg Native Americans / Red Indians, Eskimos / Inuits
Synonyms

When conducting searches you may also find it necessary to:

Include more general terms if you do not obtain enough results, eg replace Elgin marbles with Greek sculpture
Include narrower terms if you obtain too many results, eg replace America with United States
Specifically exclude certain categories, eg Eating disorders, not in females

Research Tips:

A. A good tip for beginning research is to have a basic understanding of your concept first.
Try doing some initial researching to get a basic understanding or definition of your topic.
Try using an online encylopedia.
Hint: While searching for a basic definition of your topic, keep a list of similar terms or related words that you may use later in your research.

Make sure you know your audience. Stick to a certain tone, whether it's formal, informal, funny, pleading, etc.

Be aware of the possible counter-arguments that would go against what you are trying to say. Only address these points in your essay if you have good ways to respond to them.

Avoid the use of personal pronouns such as "I" or "you". This takes away from your writing's professional touch.

Use synonyms. Having the same word over and over will place a toll on the reader's nerves. Mix it up a bit.

When restating, do not duplicate any sentence. Your audience will not skip over any part, so there isn't a need for stressing the same point over and over.

Make each sentence count. Adding extra sentences will not drive your point home. Keep the essay clear by keeping it concise.

B. Keep a research log. This will help you keep track of where you found your information and make it easier when you cite your sources. The OHS Library has more samples of research logs if you would like to try a different one.

Step #2 ~ Searching

Boolean Search Tips

Use AND, OR, NOT, and ( ) to narrow or broaden your search:
- "capital punishment" and minorities [narrows search to records having both terms]
- "political ethics" or "misconduct in office" [broadens search to records having either term]
- hunting not license [narrows search to records having the first term but not the second]
- ("folk music" or gospel) and dance [retrieves records with either of the parenthetical terms and the term outside the parentheses]
Use * to truncate and search varying forms of a word:
- transport* (will search transport, transporting, transportation, etc.)
If you enter terms into more than one box, the search will retrieve records matching both search terms.
To search a date range, use "to" between the beginning and ending dates.

Types of Searches Word or Phrase - any type of term (name, subject, title, etc.) found in any field of catalog record
Subject - topical areas covered by records in the series or collection
Title - the name of a series, collection, record group, container, file folder, or item
Author - name of an individual or family or corporation or publisher, when no author
Series - a set of successive volumes or issues of books published in like form with similarity of subject or purpose.
Periodical Title -a magazine or other journal that is issued at regularly recurring intervals.

What to do when you don't find enough information

Step #3 ~ EVALUATING NONFICTION BOOKS

Content

Accuracy:

Error-free information
Current information
Objective, balanced presentation of information
Bias-free viewpoints and images
Balanced representations of cultural, ethnic, and racial groups
Correct use of grammar, spelling, and sentence structure

Scope:

Information of sufficient scope to cover the topic adequately for the intended audience
Logical sequence of topics
Sections and chapter divisions reflect age group

Features

Cover:

Attractive
Clearly indicates what book is about
Appropriate for targeted audience

Illustrations:

Characterized by variety
Have captions and labels
Adequate in size and legibility
Accurate in placement and content
Appropriate and relevant
Sufficient in frequency and number
Lack of bias (sexual, ethnic, religious, etc.)
Color where needed

Table of Contents:

Accurate and exact
Annotated or has subheadings

Glossary:

Complete list of unfamiliar words and terms
Complete definitions
Pronunciation guide

Documentation:

Source notes or footnotes identify where information comes from
Bibliography present for research or "further reading"

Index:

Accurate
Thorough

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