The Grandparent/Elder Project

Using Research Sources

1. Always write the source citation before you begin using the source. In this way, you are ready to take notes when you come upon information that is worthwhile.

2. Start with an encyclopedia whenever possible. It provides basic background information and will give you a good overview of the topic. It can provide help in formulating the research questions and with creating the list of categories for research.

3. Use the categories and the three questions that you have chosen to organize your notes. You can always add categories as you go along. Subdivide large categories as you go. Combine smaller categories, if necessary. The categories may be useful as keywords when doing a search with an electronic source such as a periodical database or the Internet. Organizing the categories can provide you with a preliminary outline that includes your three questions and logically develops and proves your thesis.

4. When using a source that is not an encyclopedia, turn first to the table of contents to see what the book discusses in general. Next, turn to the index. Look up the categories of information that you are using from your research. Turn to those pages and skim them until you find something that you don't already know. Make a note of what is unknown. Also, make note of any discrepancies of fact or information. Remember to cite your source.

5. Read the headings to get an idea of what the article is covering. When you are diving into the middle of something, you sometimes have to read a bit of what came before the information that you are interested in to get the general drift. Reading the headings is a quick, helpful way to do this.

6. If you have a specific question or want to know more about a specific event or person, look that up in the index or check a reference source. You might even want to read a whole chapter, but you only need to take notes on general ideas or specific relevant facts. You do not need to note every fact. Use your questions to guide your research and your note-taking.

7. Use a variety of sources both primary and secondary. Be sure to use periodicals, personal interviews, movies/documentaries, photographs, all sorts of reference books, the Internet, etc. Read and use primary sources: newspaper articles, documents, speeches, interviews, photographs, films, music, and art works, etc. The American Memory collections contain many primary sources.

8. Librarians know a lot about where to find information in specific resources. Listen to them and learn from what they say. Talk to librarians when you go to the library. Ask their help in focusing your topic and in locating information that will help answer your questions about the research topic. Seek their help in learning how to access and evaluate information sources, especially sources on the Internet. For Internet search help, check out the Nueva Advice Engine or other Internet search guides:

Ask Scott (for beginners) is a little wordy but contains good help and a tutorial. See: http://www.askscott.com.

net.TUTOR use of the Web, includes searching and evaluation tips for Web sites, and other guidelines. See: http://gateway.lib.ohio-state.edu/tutor/.

TILT provides a tutorial which you can use as a guest. The tutorial aids in the selection of the best resources for the specific task.

9. Ask the librarian how to use ProQuest, Electric Library, and other periodical databases. Some of these databases are available online. Periodicals will give you much excellent information. Ask for help in locating information over the Web so that you can work efficiently and intelligently. Ask for help in locating primary sources from such collections as American Memory.

10. Remember to read the captions on pictures, diagrams, maps, and charts. These captions often give you information that you cannot get in any other way. They also are interesting to include in your paper. The pictures and diagrams may be useful for the visual part of your oral presentation.