Northeastern State University Libraries

Why do research?

Research can lead to information; information can lead to knowledge, and knowledge is powerful.

How is the NSU library organized?

Maps
Library of Congress
Hours

Topics

Browse periodicals, professional web sites. Look for suggestions of needs for further research.Within a specific discipline, what doesn't make sense or what interests you? Check for Calls for Papers in professional journals. Read, read, read. Watch the news and read the newspaper to determine current issues and events. As you read, narrow your topic.Ways to narrow a topic include geographically, by date, by specific interest group, by issue.Do cross disciplinary studies. Explore personal interests or topics within a major. For instance, if you are interested in photography explore the role of the photojournalists during war. Are there any controversial issues concerning this topic?

Critically assessing sources

1. Identify authors who are outstanding in their fields, determine the credentials of theauthor. Does the author have a degree in the field, is the author a professor?
2. Date of publication--is it recent? On Web pages, do the links work?
3. Does the publisher have a good reputation? Is it published by a professionalassociation or university press? Is the journal refereed? On Web pages, check the domain (.edu is educational, .gov is government, .com is commercial, .net is network, .org is organizational)
4. How was the resource received by the critics?
5. Completeness of the material. Does the sourece have an index, bibliography?
6. Is the language slanted or biased?
7. Does it include well known facts or research studies? Is the information complete, accurate, objective?
8. What is the purpose of the resource?  Is it for the general public, children, scholars? Is the goal to market persuade, educate?

Subject headings

Keyword vs. controlled vocabulary, boolean logic

Locating book resources

 NSU Online Catalog
 WorldCat

Locating periodical resources

NSU electronic indexes

Locating Internet resources

Internet Search Engines Available

Some (hopefully) reliable approaches to finding good Web sources:
The Argus Clearinghouse
The Internet Public Library
Librarians' Index to the Internet
JVL NSU Subject Listing of Web Resources

Assess the quality of the Web sites listed below:
Feline Reactions to Bearded Men
The True but Little Known Facts about Women with Aids with Documentation

Am I done yet?

Have you tried, books, magazines, journals, newspapers, government publications, Internet sources, interviews, audio visuals? If not, you aren't done! Remember, research is fun.

SophiaBeverley Threatt, MLS, MA
Instructor of Library Services
Languages and Literature and Communication, Art, & Theatre
Resource Coordinator
(918) 444-3267
threatt@nsuok.edu