Doing Research

Step 1: Select and define your topic

Discuss subject ideas with your professor.
Discuss your topic ideas with a librarian.
Look over titles in specialized encyclopedias or handbooks that cover your topic.
State your topic as a question. Identify key words or the main ideas in your question.

Step 2: Find Background Information

Once you have identified your topic, begin library research by reading summaries of your topic. Subject encyclopedias and handbooks provide good information. Note relevant items in the bibliographies at the end of the articles. Additional information may be discovered in your textbook, lecture notes, or library reserve materials.

Step 3: Use the Library Catalog to find Books on your Topic

There are numerous ways to find information in TRELLIS. Using the Key Words or Subject or Author, or Title, or call number functions will provide you with relevant information on your topic.

Step 4: Use Indexes & Databases to find articles about your topic

Step 5: Cite the Sources in a Standard Format

Choose a style that is recommended by your professor or academic department.

Chicago Style
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association(APA)
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
RefWorks, web based bibliography and database manager. Accessible to UW faculty, students and staff.
Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations