✓ Create a list of topics related to your main subject before you start
researching. Organize your list from general to specific.
✓ Don't get lost in the research process and forget that you need time to
write and edit. To keep yourself on track, break your project into research,
writing and editing phases. Give each phase an end date working backward
from your due date.
✓ Don't skip over bibliographies! Bibliographies from your current resources
can point you toward additional sources.
✓ Create guidelines for the quantity and quality of resources you want to
utilize for your research. Make sure to include a specific definition of what
you consider to be high quality and credible. Weigh every possible
resource against this guideline to ensure that you stay on track.
✓ Don't wait until you have a long list of resources to begin organizing your
research. By starting on day one you can avoid the stress of sorting
through weeks of notes, book names, websites and other source material.
✓ While many schools offer research organization tools, there are some
free-to-use programs you may want to try. Here are a few to get you
started:
Cite3me – Create bibliographies with ease and cite your resources
in all popular styles with this free-to-use website.
Docear – Manage your research and reference materials in this
powerful, but free-to-use, academic literature suite.
Mendeley – Organize your research and collaborate with others with
this free reference manager and academic-based social network.
RESEARCH TIPS
