How do I start my research?
Researching a topic for an assignment can seem overwhelming at first, but over time it will become easier!
Follow these three steps to get started:
- Read the instructions for your assignment carefully. Do you need a number of different sources (books, articles, newspapers, etc.)? Do you need scholarly sources? Are you able to chose your own topic? If you need to cite your sources, what citation style should you use? If the guidelines for the assignment are not clear, check with your instructor first before proceeding to step 2.
- Write down some keywords that you can use to search for information on your topic. Think about the main ideas and concepts related to your topic. Also consider words or phrases that have similar meanings. What other words might people use to describe your topic?
- Search a library database using the keywords or phrases you identified. SCC OneSearch contains most of the resources the library subscribes to - you can enter a search term to find articles, books, e-books, course reserve materials, and more.
See How to Do Library Research for more tips and tricks!