Research Tips and Tricks
Forming the Research Question:
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What questions might someone else have about this topic?
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How can I narrow my topic by region/country?
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By time period?
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By demographics (groups of people)?
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Am I interested in the relationship between more than one topic?
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Am I willing to question what I think I already know about my topic in order to find the truth?
Choosing Your Search Tools:
- Everything for your research is located at libguides.transy.edu/steam
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You probably won’t find everything you need in one database; try several!
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Start with more general sources (like Gale Virtual Ref or Films on Demand), then move to newspapers or print resources.
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Try using the advanced search options for more control over your results!
Forming Keyword Searches:
- Remember to remove non-central words like a, an, the, in, of, and, or, but, etc.
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Try to develop as many synonyms for your keywords as possible; try them in different combinations when searching.
In-Class Activity
- The Art of Happiness at Work
Look over this brief excerpt from "The Art of Happiness at Work" by the Dalai Lama and Dr. Howard C. Cutler. As you read through it, try to decide whether or not it's a good source. Think about how you define what a "good source" is.
Developing Research Questions/Topics
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