Skip to Main Content

Religion: Research

Resources for the study of religions.

Research 101

You will not find all the information you need in one place nor will you find it using a single search term.  Gather information from a wide variety of sources (encyclopedias, journal articles, book chapters, reviews, etc.).  Collect new keywords as you search.  Use keywords in various combinations to focus your search and refine your results list. Synthesize the information you find to support your thesis.  Remember to give credit when using the words or ideas of others by citing your sources correctly. 

Keywords

As you explore topics, develop a keyword list for your topic.  Brainstorm for synonyms, keep track of dates, events, and key people related to your topic.   Add to the list as you delve into encyclopedia articles, book chapters, journal articles and other resources. 

Evaluate

Authority 
who has written this information? what credentials does this person/group have on this subject? Is your source credible? What is the reputation of the source or content author?

Source 
who is responsible for the Web site? what organization is hosting (and paying to keep alive) this page?

Purpose 
why does this site exist? why was it created? who is the intended audience?

Accuracy 
is the information accurate? can it be verified through another source? is the language objective and impartial or is it subjective and inflammatory? is the information or research documented? 

Depth 
how thoroughly is the topic covered? is it written for college level research? is the information sufficiently complete for your purposes?

Currency 
when was the information published or last updated?

Literature Reviews

Research Process

Annotated Bibliographies