Here are some quick tips to help you get started with your research. Some of this may seem very basic to you. However, going back and making sure that your research process is as efficient as possible can save you countless hours down the road, especially when working on something as big as a thesis.
If you have any questions about researching or using the library, please do not hesitate to contact Ben Hunter. Either email (bhunter@uidaho.edu) or phone (885-5858) are fine. Ben can quickly answer questions about doing research and using the library and is also happy to set up appointments.
Research your paper with a clear strategy. This will save you time and probably improve your grade. Everybody has their own strategy that works for them; there is no one solution for every person and every problem. Even so, the sample strategy below may help to get you started.
1. Choose a topic:
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
• Is this topic interesting to me? If not, find a new topic.
• Will there be enough information? If not, consider a broader topic.
• Will there be too much information? If so, consider a narrower topic.
2. Explore your topic:
• Start by looking at reference books, websites, magazines and other general resources.
• Get a solid idea of what the current state of research on this topic is.
• Find keywords related to your topic that you can use to search for relevant materials.
• You may find at this point that you need to return to step one and choose a new topic.
• Make sure and keep track of any material that you intend on using in your paper; be very careful not to plagarize.
3. Begin your research:
• At this point, you should be finished with the more general reference works that you used in step 2.
• Use the library catalog and WorldCat to find books that are relevant to your topic.
• Use article databases such as Art Index and Art Retrospective and Humanities International Index to find relevant journal articles.
4. Do your research:
• Carefully document all of the information sources that you plan on using in your paper.
• Take careful notes as you read, making sure that every note says where it comes from.
• If you need more information, go back to step 3.
5. Write your paper:
• Outline your paper and begin writing and revising.
• Be very careful to cite all the information you are using in your paper.
• If you need more information, go back to step 3.
What they are:
• encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs, etc.
Where you can find them:
• behind the reference desk on the first floor
• (look for call numbers that start with N)
• (look for call numbers that start with N)
• New Grove Dictionary of Art online
(from the UI Library homepage click on Find Articles, then click on G to access New Grove).
(from the UI Library homepage click on Find Articles, then click on G to access New Grove).
What they are good for:
• narrowing a topic
• broadening a topic
• finding other sources (use articles' bibliographies)
• finding useful keywords
• getting background information on a topic
• broadening a topic
• finding other sources (use articles' bibliographies)
• finding useful keywords
• getting background information on a topic
What they are not so good for:
• recent information
• very specific information
• information that you would want to frequently cite in a research paper
• very specific information
• information that you would want to frequently cite in a research paper
Note that by "websites," this guide is referring to sites that you would find using a Google search or a similar method. Sites such as databases and electronic journals (as found through the library homepage) are not part of this category. For more information on evaluating websites, check out Module 5.3 of the UI Libray's Information Literacy Tutorial
What they are good for:
• finding general information
• broadening a topic
• narrowing a topic
• finding useful keywords
• getting background information on a topic
• broadening a topic
• narrowing a topic
• finding useful keywords
• getting background information on a topic
What they are not so good for:
• consistently reliable information (anybody can make a website)
• specific information
• information that you would want to cite in a research paper
• specific information
• information that you would want to cite in a research paper
Some sites you should know about:
UI Library Recommended Websites on Art and Architecture
Citation Machine (create APA and MLA style citations)
UI Library Recommended Websites on Citing Works and Creating Bibliographies
Citation Machine (create APA and MLA style citations)
UI Library Recommended Websites on Citing Works and Creating Bibliographies
Note that magazines and journals are considered two different resources (though the line is sometimes blurry). For more information on the difference between scholarly and popular research, check out Module 1 of the UI Libray's Information Literacy Tutorial.
Where you can find them:
• on the second floor of the UI Library
• through the library website through the "Journal List"
• through the library website through the "Journal List"
What they are good for:
• finding general articles, often on popular topics
• summarizing recent research
• getting ideas for your own research
• summarizing recent research
• getting ideas for your own research
What they are not so good for:
• original research
• specific information
• information that you would want to frequently cite in a research paper
• specific information
• information that you would want to frequently cite in a research paper
Click here for a quick tutorial on using the library's catalog.
Where you can find them:
• find call numbers using the UI Library Catalog.
• books are located on the third and fourth floor of the UI Library
• books with a location listed as NIC or LCSC can be obtained within a few days by clicking on "Request," then placing a "Hold" on the book
• WorldCat is a library catalog that combines the catalogs of thousands of library catalogs around the world; an amazing resource for locating books not owned by the UI Library
• if we don't own a book you need, you can almost always order it through ILL (interlibrary loan).
• books are located on the third and fourth floor of the UI Library
• books with a location listed as NIC or LCSC can be obtained within a few days by clicking on "Request," then placing a "Hold" on the book
• WorldCat is a library catalog that combines the catalogs of thousands of library catalogs around the world; an amazing resource for locating books not owned by the UI Library
• if we don't own a book you need, you can almost always order it through ILL (interlibrary loan).
What they are good for:
• in-depth information
• specific information
• lots of information
• (sometimes) getting background information on a topic
• specific information
• lots of information
• (sometimes) getting background information on a topic
What they are not so good for:
• cutting edge research
• quick reference
• quick reference
Click here for tutorials on how to use article databases.
Where you can find them:
• on the UI Library Catalog under the heading "Find Articles;" select "Arts and Humanities" from the pull-down menu
What they are good for:
• finding journal articles
• figuring out how much information there is on a certain topic
• figuring out how much information there is on a certain topic
What they are not so good for:
• choosing a topic
• quick reference
• quick reference
Some databases to get you started:
• Art Index and Art Retrospective
• Humanities International Index
• Avery Index (architecture and design)
• Humanities International Index
• Avery Index (architecture and design)
Click here for tutorials on how to find and use electronic journals.
Where you can find them:
• on the UI Library Catalog under the heading "Journal List"
• on the second floor of the UI Library
• on the second floor of the UI Library
What they are good for:
• cutting-edge research
• up-to-date information
• up-to-date information
What they are not so good for:
• choosing a topic
• quick reference
• quick reference