Understand Your Assignment
The first step in the research process is to understand what you are being asked to do. Are you asked to take a side on an issue (argumentative paper) or explain how something works (informational paper)?
Also be sure to note any guidelines your instructor has for types of sources that are required or recommended. For example many professors do not accept Wikipedia entries as a valid source for college papers. Many also may require that information be no more than 5 years old unless you are working with a historical topic.
For more info check out the "Understanding Assignments" guide from The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Not sure where to Start? You can make an appointment with a writing tutor at SUNY Plattsburgh's Learning Center
Topic Selection
It can be overwhelming to select a topic. Try to find something that interests you - perhaps related to your career goals or personal interests. Keep in mind a single word or phrase does not equal a topic. Depending on your assignment you will need to word your topic as a statement or a question. Example: You may start with "Tattoos" but your actual topic might be "The health risks of getting a tattoo and how to avoid them."
For more info check out the "Selecting a Research Topic" guide from Stewart Library, Weber State University
Search Terms
Once you have your topic it is a good idea to come up with a list of possible search terms. You will start with the words you used to write your topic, but be sure to come up with as many other synonyms as possible. Pay attention to the info you find and the other terms the researcher use to get better results. Example: If your topic is "What are the best treatments for Seasonal Affective Disorder"
Other Possible Search terms: Treatments (therapy, medicine, remedies) Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD, winter blues)
Where to Start Searching
The 'Search Library Materials' box on the Feinberg library home page is a great place to start. It will give you access to the widest range of materials. You can also limit your results to the type of information you want (books, articles, etc) or by date.
Evaluating What You Find
All information you find should be reviewed to ensure that it is quality information. Check to see that it is up-to-date, written by experts/professionals, and is relevant to your information needs.
For more info check out the 'Evaluating Information Sources' guide from University of Louisville Libraries.
Cite Your Sources
Use the 'Cite in MLA Style' tab in this guide for help citing your sources.
Or see our 'MLA citation examples' page.
