Research Tips

How do I do research?

Besides the library, the Internet can be used effectively as a source of your research. There is a vast array of places you can search for information on the Web. Here's a few examples:

Internet search

Search on Google for Poverty
Explore web sites:
- census bureau: http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty.html
- povertynet: http://www.worldbank.org/poverty/
- Go to: http://www.jcpr.org/
  - search maternal employment
  - read maternal employment/overweight kids article.

From this material, you might come up with this possible thesis: Maternal employment is/is not detrimental the child. Women who work should focus on the eating habits of their children by promoting healthy living habits.

Narrow your internet search

When you search with Google, keep in mind that you can continually narrow your search by following these steps:
See the following examples:

Visit Google and search for poverty
Scroll down to the bottom of the search results and click on search within results
Enter a narrowed topic : homeless
Click on search within results
Enter a narrowed topic : Southern Illinois

Search for drugs
Scroll down to the bottom of the search results and click on search within results
Enter a narrowed topic: illegal drugs
Click on search within results
Enter a narrowed topic : marijuana

Search for unemployment
Scroll down to the bottom of the search results and click on search within results
Enter a narrowed topic: poverty
Click on search within results
Enter a narrowed topic : continuing education
Click on search within results
Enter a narrowed topic: United States

Finding further research

Look at the end of articles and look up relevant articles from that author's bibliography, works cited or reference page. Look for links to clearinghouses, databases, journals, or governments web sites.

Research Activity

1. Search for your general topic. Use the instructions above. Make a list of sub-topics within your general topic.
For example, if your topic is cloning, subtopics are stem cell research or right-to-life issues.

2. Find and browse different sites always making note of where you are (i.e. .gov, .edu, .org, or .com). Search for
articles about your topic. Find articles that pick a point of view.

3. Make a list of the different points of view and/recurring themes.

4. make a list of the recurring names, researchers, professionals, etc.

5. What questions are raised because of the different points of view? Make a list of the questions.

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