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Research 101

This guide provides you with a basic outline of how to do research, from choosing a topic to citing your sources in the final draft. Remember to always ask a reference librarian if you need any help with your research

Articles and Books

Evaluating Books and Articles

Selecting appropriate information in your research is an important part of having quality research and creating a quality product. There is an overwhelming amount of information available to you from an innumerable variety of sources; so, each piece of information you find must be carefully reviewed to ensure that it is worthy to be used in your assignment. Evaluation of information is essential to quality research, and should take into account the following factors:

 

  • Credibility       
    • Is an author listed?                          
    • Does the author cite sources or a bibliography?             
    • Does the author cite formal credentials or experience? 
    • Can you contact the author?                                          
    • Do you know who published the material?
    • Are they reputable?
  • Bias                    
    • Does the material present information in an objective manner?
    • Are all sides of the issues represented?
    • If not, can you determine the bias of the material?
  • Audience
    • Is the level of the material appropriate to your needs?
    • Does the content cover several topics minimally or one topic in detail?                                                        
  • Accuracy
    • Does the material provide documentation for the information provided?
    • Does the material provide information that contradicts other sources?
    • Does the material include an explanation of its research methods?                                                                
  • Currency
    • Was the information recently published?
    • Has it been updated or revised?                                    
 
  • Relevance
    • Does the information add to or support your research? 
    • Does the material provide references that are also useful?  
    • Does the material provide more or less information than you need?

Norberg, L.  (July 15, 2008)  Evaluating Books: Checklist.  Retrieved February 26, 2009, from the University North Carolina Libraries’ Web site:
http://www.lib.unc.edu/instruct/evaluate/books/checklist.html

Peer Review

Peer Review

Peer review (also know as refereeing) is a process in which an article submitted to a scholarly journal is reviewed by other experts in the field, in order to evaluate the validity and accuracy of the article's content and methods. Articles can only be published in scholarly journals if they pass peer review. Peer reviewed journals are "scholarly publications."
 

How Do I Find Peer Reviewed Articles?

 
  • Many databases will provide an option to limit search results to include only scholarly/peer reviewed articles. 
     
  • A journal's website, as well as the publication information in a print edition of a journal, will include information as to the nature of the publication, including if it is peer reviewed or refereed.
     
  • If it is difficult to find this information on a journal website, look for the "Instructions for Authors" pages or links. Articles are considered to be refereed (peer-reviewed) if authors are asked to submit multiple copies of the same article. The editor usually wants extra copies to send to reviewers.
     
  • Check the journal to see if there is an editorial board. The members of this board usually serve as reviewers.

Research Studies

Research Studies

Research studies are derived from actual observation or experiments. They are papers whose authors have done original research, rather than reporting on someone else's research.
 

How to Identify a Research Study

 
  • Look for the following words or phrases in the abstract:
    • observation
    • questionnaire or survey
    • interviews
    • empirical
    • case studies
    • user studies
    • experimental
       
  • Look for the following sub-headings in the article:  Abstract, Introduction, Literature, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, References.
     
  • Research study articles make frequent use of charts, tables, and graphs to represent data.
     
  • In some databases (example: PsycINFO), you can limit by "Methodology" for specific types of research studies.
 

Evaluating Database Search Results

Websites

Is a website offering accurate and reliable information? Ask yourself the following questions when evaluating an online information source:
Who:
Who is responsible for the creation of the information you're reading on the site?  Do they have listed credentials? Are they associated with a reputable institution?  Can you contact them?
 
What:
What is the purpose of this site?  What is the URL of the site and what might that tell you about its purpose?  What aspects of the site make it difficult/easy to use? (For example: typos, easy navigation, nice layout, images, too much advertising, etc.)
 
Where:
Where is this information coming from?  Is there a bibliography or listed references?  Is the site listed with an established institution?
 
When:
When was the site last updated?  Does the site even have a date?  Does the currency of the information directly impact your subject?
 
Why:
Why is this website useful for your research?  Is it necessary for your research or could you find the information through a better source?