This guide will help you find sources for your cause/effect & problem/solution papers. In class, we learned how to use library databases to find background sources, books, & articles. We used:
Los Rios Libraries' online catalog and access to the content of most databases held at Los Rios.
In-depth reports on current social and political issues.
Viewpoint articles on current social issues and controversial topics.
This guide will help you find information for your research papers. Some tips:
1. Research is not always a straightforward process. You may find yourself questioning and revising your topic as you find (or don't find) information. That's OK.
2.When researching, focus on developing good search terms. Identify the core concepts of your topic. Avoid filler words like "to" "why" "does" "because" etc. For most databases, use 2 - 4 search terms. Try to think of potential synonyms and look for additional search terms within the results that you find.
3. Research takes time. Be patient and persistent. Try a lot of different search terms.
4. . Don't plan your your entire argument before you've done the research. Your goal is not to come up with all the answers beforehand and then look for research that proves what you've already decided. Instead, start with some questions see what the research shows.
5. . Ask for help. Librarians are trained research experts, and it's our job to help you! There are lots of ways to get in touch with a librarian if you'd like some help.
