Reviewing Research Strategies How to Zero in on Sources for Your Research Paper

Cite only scholarly sources. Wikipedia is a great place to start… …but you can’t cite it!

Be certain your sources are scholarly, not popular. Academic (peer-reviewed) journals Title often contains the word “Journal” Found through libraries and databases Authors are identified with academic credentials Abstracts often found at beginning of article Contain citations and have a Works Cited page Popular Magazine Scholarly Journal

Other scholarly sources: Scholarly reference works: Great for getting started! Textbooks Specialized encyclopedias Scholarly books Often published by university/academic presses Authors have academic credentials Include notes and extensive bibliography Found in university library catalogs

Authoritative sources online: Exercise caution! Domain clues.gov sites: provide reliable statistics on many subjects.edu sites generally have authoritative information, but remember, not all educational institutions are created equal! Screenshot of Johns Hopkins SPS open courseware site

RESEARCH STRATEGIES PRELIMINARY RESEARCH: For background, surf the web and go to reference books. Use these sources to help guide you to scholarly articles and books you can then cite in your paper. You can also talk to professors and others in your major! Screenshot of Wikepedia article on Roundup, a controversial weed killer.

Hit the Purdue Libraries website. CATALOG TAB Search the Purdue Catalog for books and articles. Use narrowing options to zero in on your particular topic. Screenshot from Purdue Libraries website showing “Similar Items” bar.

Get busy with the library databases. Hit the Purdue library databases. Use Megasearch (Articles Tab) and narrow by subject to search several databases independently. Or, if you know the article you’re searching for, type that in. Use Database Tab and narrow search to a promising database in your field. USE BOOLEAN OPERATORS, PHRASES, ETC. TO REFINE YOUR SEARCH. (The better the search terms, the better your results!) Screenshot of Articles Tab search from Purdue Libraries website using nesting, phrases, and Boolean operators.

Give Google Scholar a try. Regular Google searches are a mixed bag… ! …witness, Frankengrass!

Yet another weapon in your research arsenal… Adjust settings Google Scholar to improve results.

Your secret weapon… CONSULT A REFERENCE LIBRARIAN. You can a question to a Purdue librarian, talk to one in person, or chat online. You can also set up a one-on-one appointment to receive advice and help. All images from Purdue Libraries website

Summary of Strategies Start with general background, then focus in on scholarly sources. Refine keyword searches to get the best results. (Do multiple searches, tweaking keywords and using nesting, phrases, Boolean operators, etc.) Use one source to get to another. Look at the references and Works Cited page to find other, possibly more relevant sources. Look at the “Similar Items” bar when you find a book in the Purdue Libraries catalog. Chat or make an appointment with a Reference Librarian. Use all the weapons in your research arsenal!

Ready, set, research! Image from Purdue Libraries website