Monday, October 4, 2010

Research Tip: Defining Your Information Need

In the research process, whether your project involves a five-minute speech or a twenty-page paper, the first step is always defining your information need. Before you sit down in front of a computer to begin your search for information, take the time to clarify exactly what kind of information you are searching for. Do you have a thesis statement or an essential question to be answered? Do you have auxiliary questions that will help you prove your thesis or answer your larger question? Without this kind of direction your search for information can become a confusing and frustrating experience.

Once you have taken the necessary time to spell out your information need, you should be able to pull from your thesis or questions several keywords and phrases that you will use when searching the library catalog, online article databases, or the Internet for information. In addition to these words and phrases, try to brainstorm others that tie in with your topic, or that mean the same thing. When you strike out with one word, substitute another and see if you get better results.

Make sure you use different kinds of information sources, and weigh the benefits of one source against another so that you end up choosing the best ones. For instance, a book is often the best resource because the author is usually an expert who has spent substantial time researching the information, which is then verified prior to being published. A scholarly article can be better than a book when the topic is a time-sensitive one, because journals are published more frequently and usually contain the latest findings in a given field. Don’t wait until the last minute to gather your information, but allow yourself enough time to get resources from places besides your own library.

Check back here in another few weeks for tips on effective online searching strategies!