Module 2 - Beginning Your Research

Objectives

• apply the basics of the research process in order to conduct the research necessary for assigned papers or projects.
• understand that some information available on the campus or in the library may also be available electronically from home in order to access information effectively from all locations.
• identify library services in order to know where to find information and where they may go for help.
• use the library's organizational system in order to successfully locate materials.
• understand the difference between primary and secondary resources in order to utilize them appropriately.
• distinguish various formats of information in order to utilize the most appropriate resources for their research.
• understand the difference between scholarly and popular resources in order to utilize them appropriately.

Introduction

This lesson presents an overview of the research process. There are a number of steps required to complete effective research. These steps are outlined together with suggestions for selecting an appropriate topic. After a topic is selected, the research project begins.

In this module you will be introduced to your major assignment for this course, which will be to complete an annotated bibliography on a focused topic of your choice. Your bibliography will consist of the 6 best resources you can find on your topic. These will be submitted in the Module 3 assignment.

In addition, this lesson introduces the issues related to remote access, or using electronic resources from home or office. Some information is available from any computer with Internet access, while other information resources are restricted to use on a campus or in a library.

• Outline of the research process start to finish
• Selecting a research topic
• The research project
• Remote access to library resources OR "How do I get to this stuff from home?"

Copyright © 2001   UALC
Comments and suggestions to: nancyl@lib.med.utah.edu
Updated 8/1/2001