call
(651) 523-2373
email
bushref@hamline.edu
meet virtually
schedule a research appointment
with a librarian
Hunting and gathering resources on your topic doesn't need to be an endless task. Ask yourself two questions before you begin seeking information. These will help you focus your efforts on using sources that will deliver the best results for your information need.
How extensive is my information need?
Who writes about or delivers the information I need?
Graphic courtesy of Brenda Smith, Distance and Document Delivery Librarian, Thompson Rivers University LIbrary, Kamloops BC.
Surveying the literature before you've formulated a specific research question provides you the opportunity to focus on understanding your discipline's perspective. You discover and learn while you seek. You still need to follow your professor's assignment/course guidelines.
As you search for resources to read you may ask yourself these questions. These may help you limit your search.
Your responses to these questions will help you determine the types of resources that will provide the best data/information for you. Knowing those resource types, leads us to using the right tools to locate that information.