CGHS - Library Orientation

Research Information

The research process

The research process provided below is to help guide you. This does not mean that this is the only way to get your research done but it does provide a step by step process. 

In some cases, you will have an input as to what your topic will be and in other cases, it may be given to you.

• Ex. Choosing your topic

Step 2- Finding Background Information

After you identify your topic, find and read articles that will provide historical, contextual, and factual information for your topic. 

• Background and Context Information

Step 3- Use Catalogs To Find Books and Media

Use guided keyword searching to find materials by topic or subject. Print or write down the citation (author, title,etc.) and the location information (call number and library). Note the circulation status. When you pull the book from the shelf, scan the bibliography for additional sources. Watch for book-length bibliographies and annual reviews on your subject; they list citations to hundreds of books and articles in one subject area. 

• Media Catalog- Log into your e-class portal to view your libraries books

Step 4- Use Databases To Find Periodical Articles

Utilize databases to find indexes which allow searching of articles, words, phrases, and journal titles. 

• Online Research Library- Log into your e-class to view databases

• Libguides Gwinnett- this is a collection of resources built by media specialist around Gwinnett.

• Libguide World Communities - this is a collection of resources built by librarians around the world.

Step 5- Find Additional Internet Resources

Nearly everyone is aware of and uses Google and its branches, Google Scholar, Google Books, Google News, YouTube, etc., to search and find information on the open Internet (as opposed to the subscription-only resources you will encounter in steps 2 through 4 above). 

Step 6- Evaluate What You Find

See How to Critically Analyze Information Sources and Distinguishing Scholarly from Non-Scholarly Periodicals: A Checklist of Criteria for suggestions on evaluating the authority and quality of the books and articles you located.

If you have found too many or too few sources, you may need to narrow or broaden your topic. Check with your teacher for further direction.

Step 7- Cite What You Find Using A Standard Format (MLA or APA)

Give credit where credit is due; cite your sources.

Citing or documenting the sources used in your research serves two purposes, it gives proper credit to the authors of the materials used, and it allows those who are reading your work to duplicate your research and locate the sources that you have listed as references.

Knowingly representing the work of others as your own is plagiarism. Use one of the styles listed below or another style approved by your instructor. Handouts summarizing the APA and MLA styles.