Engl 130: Research Hacks

Developing a Research Topic: Exploration to Explanation

When confronted with this challenge: Answer a question – that you come up with – using appropriate resources that it’s your job to find, what do you do? Watch this brief introduction.

Enhances your English 130 research process by providing:

• Assistance navigating & finding library resources;

• Support for your English 130 assignments;

• Expert advice on accessing & conducting research.

Makes the Library work for you:

The library is one of the most powerful academic resources available to you, and this guide helps you get the most out of your library research by bringing together some of its most useful tools in an easy-to-use guide. It also provides you with tips on how to use them to your advantage. Don't let all the databases and tools at your disposal overwhelm you -- this guide and the librarians are here to help with all your research needs and questions!

Define Your Topic

This section includes resources dealing with the beginning stages of the research process. This includes using library resources to explore your topic broadly and to locate initial sources to learn more about your topic.

Refine Your Topic

This page includes helpful tips and tricks for refining your topic after the initial exploration stages of research. The tools and information in this section are useful at various points in the research process, as you will continually revise and refine your topic as you continue to learn more as you incorporate new information.

Thinking Local

In this section, you'll find tools and resources for obtaining local information and data about a topic and learning about local initiatives. This section includes links and instructions for how to access newspapers, government agencies, and other free internet sources that compile local information.