First-Generation Resource Guide

We understand that research can be overwhelming when you are beginning. Here are a few steps to get your research journey started. Remember: if you need support, reach out to us at Ask A Librarian. We are here for YOU! 

For more information on how to research using the ASU Library, visit our First-Year Composition library guide. 

STEP 1: IDENTIFY YOUR TOPIC

SUMMARY: Brainstorm topic ideas using the internet and library resources, then state your topic as a question. For example, if you are interested in finding out about self esteem in teenagers, you might pose the question, "What effect does use of Instagram have on self esteem of High School students?" 

 

STEP 2: DEVELOP YOUR RESEARCH QUESTION

SUMMARY: Watch videos, read articles, and explore more information around the topic that you chose. Take notes on what you find most interesting and engaging about your topic. Ask yourself the 5 W's: who, what, where, when, and why. Use the answers to these questions to formulate an open ended research question. 

 

STEP 3: FIND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

SUMMARY: To further understand your topic, use resources such as Google, Wikipedia, textbooks, individuals (librarians, faculty, friends, or family) and library databases (Opposing Viewpoints Research and Center CQ Researcher). Note any interesting topics or information in the articles and keep a research notebook on the related topics and key words that you find. Use this new information to identify the main concepts or keywords in your question.

 

STEP 4: DEVELOP A SEARCH STRATEGY TO FIND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Nearly everyone is aware of and uses Google and its other services, Google Scholar, Google News, YouTube, etc., to search and find information on the open Internet, but there are special tips and tricks to easily searching for good information. Searching in the library databases and catalog using keywords, limiters, and boolean phrases will yield higher quality scholarly resources for your paper. 

Use this Searching Worksheet to help you identify your keywords for your next research question. Select "Make a Copy."

 

STEP 5: EVALUATE WHAT YOU FIND

SUMMARY: See Know Your Sources and Is It Scholarly? handouts for suggestions on evaluating the quality of the books, articles, and online sources you located. Watch on YouTube: The Problem with Fake News. If you have found too many or too few sources, you may need to narrow or broaden your topic. If you get stuck, ask a librarian for help.

 

STEP 6: CITE WHAT YOU FIND 

Give credit where credit is due; cite your sources. 

Citing or documenting the sources used in your research serves two purposes, it gives proper credit to the authors of the materials used, and it allows those who are reading your work to duplicate your research and locate the sources that you have listed as references. When other authors cite their sources properly, you can also use their research to help you with your own!

Knowingly representing the work of others as your own is plagiarism. To learn how to properly site sources, use our Citation Style Guide. You want to cite to avoid plagiarizing another persons work.

(To learn how to organize your references, visit our Citation Management Tool library guide.)