Module 2: Design Your Search Strategy, Discover Appropriate Sources (1 page 1) what's this?
| Analyze Your Topic | Learn the Stages of Research | Discover Appropriate Sources |
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You’re a good way into developing a research strategy since you’ve analyzed your topic and learned about the stages of research; your next step is to decide what kind of sources you’ll need. How do you know which kinds of sources to use? Unfortunately, there’s not a perfect answer to that question. The questions that follow will help you start thinking about appropriate sources for your research paper. You also may wish to consult with your instructor, check your assignment guidelines, or chat with a librarian to find out the most appropriate sources for your field. |
How important is currency of source materials?
Or, what is “current” in the field?
(Currency in literature studies may be different from
currency in political science studies.) |
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Are some kinds of sources more desirable in your field than other
sources? |
| Do
you need primary or secondary source materials? |
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In your preliminary and general research, what kinds of sources did
those authors use? (Search their bibliographies carefully and look
for common sources.
You also may want to look for sources that provide a unique
or interesting perspective on the topic.) |
As described in each of the stages, a variety of sources is available to you to provide support in your research paper or project, and your research can take place in three places: the library, electronically, and in the field.
The
questions that you’ve
answered in this module will begin to help you develop a search strategy.
Which
kinds of sources you use may depend
upon your assignment or your field. But more than anything else, they will depend upon the answer
to the following question:
What
kind of sources would my audience find acceptable and convincing?
The answer to this question will affect the kinds of sources you look for during the general and specialized research stages.
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Copyright 2003 by the Academic Center, the University of Houston-Victoria, and
Summer Leibensperger.
Created 2003 by Summer Leibensperger.
Define
Your Topic | Design Your Search Strategy
| Locate & Retrieve Information
Evaluate Information | Use & Cite Information