EN103


 * Argument Essay: Research Process **


 * Explore & develop your topic **
 * self-educate (read & think about what you read)
 * begin with a broader topic category and use the information you find to help you decide how to focus and organize
 * ** let your sources guide you ** - don't invite frustration trying to find information that "fits"

**** (handout)
 * When you find information you think you can use in your research, it's important to consider the source type two reasons:
 * 1) **Evaluation.** Is it an appropriate resource for your topic? Who is the author? Is the information fact-based, opinion-based, or both?
 * 2) **Citation.** In order to cite it correctly, you have to know what type of source it is (book, encyclopedia, journal article, newspaper article, web site, etc.).


 * Reference books: specialized encyclopedias **
 * Some are print books in the library, some are ebooks
 * give you the "big picture" - overview & context
 * help you determine keywords you can use to search databases and indexes


 * Books: print (check out from the library) and/or ebooks (full text online) **
 * Search the **library catalog** using one or two keywords
 * use the **Table of Contents** in the front to find sections in the book that might have information about your topic
 * use the **Index** in the back to find parts of the book where your keywords appear


 * Articles: magazines, newspapers, and scholarly journals **
 * Type your keywords into the **URsearch** box on the library's home page
 * **Refine results** using the filters/limiters on the left edge of your results page:
 * full text (check box)
 * dates (if appropriate for your topic)
 * source types (academic journals, magazines, news, reports, etc.)
 * language (English)