The Search Process

Choosing and Developing a topic

The first stage of any information search is to know what you are looking for Behind every great research paper is a good, well-defined topic. But how do you know whether or not your topic is a good one? Here are some general rules to follow:

  1. If possible, choose a topic that interests you. There are few things more difficult than trying to write about a topic in which you have little or no interest.
  2. Be sure your topic is neither too broad nor too narrow for the assignment you have been given. Check your assignment due date to see how much time you have and the length requirements to see how much you are expected to write.
  3. Choose a topic about which there is likely to be information available in the library and/or on the Internet. You should do some preliminary checking for potential sources before you decide on your topic.
  4. If you are selecting your own topic (rather than choosing from a list provided by your instructor) make sure your instructor approves your topic before you start your research.
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Designing the Search

There are a number of different methods for finding a research topic. Depending on the course you are taking and your specific assignment, some or all of the following suggestions may be useful:

  1. Talk to your tutor. He or she may have a list of suggested topics from which you may choose. Remember that these topics may be broad subjects or themes that you will need to narrow or focus in order to create a viable topic.
  2. Talk to a reference librarian. Librarians have a good idea of which topics are suitable for library research.
  3. Read your course outline to get an idea of the themes and broad subjects covered by the course.
  4. Take your textbook(s) and any other required or suggested readings.
  5. Talk to friends.
  6. Consult general and/or specialized encyclopedias and other reference books that cover the subject area of your topic.
  7. Read current newspapers and magazines; watch or listen to the news on TV or radio.
  8. Search the Library catalogue to get an idea of ways in which the subject has been treated by other writers.
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Carry out your search and evaluate the results

Carry out the search using the various search tools available. The quantity of published scientific material continues to grow exponentially. Fortunately there are tools (secondary sources: Encyclopaedias and dictionaries, Reviews, Databases, Abstracts and Indexes) which help you to search for information on a given topic.
Evaluate the references you find, for relevance to your task.
If necessary modify the search strategy.

Having found interesting references, your next task is to make good use of them. This involves obtaining the corresponding full-text documents, critical examination of the material, organization of the information, possibly in some form of personal database, and incorporation into your personal frame of knowledge. This provides the starting-point for further work.

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Handling the Products of your Search

Having found interesting references, your next task is to make good use of them. This involves obtaining the corresponding full-text documents, critical examination of the material, organization of the information, possibly in some form of personal database, and incorporation into your personal frame of knowledge. This provides the starting-point for further work.

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