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Steps in Beginning Research – Using Your Library

The UCSB library has over 2.8 Million volumes and provides access to a wide variety of collections, housed in two buildings: the main Davidson Library and the Arts Library. When doing research for a paper, how do you get started? How do you find what you need within these eight floors? Take advantage of your library by learning how to use it. The following steps are to help you get started, and of course you can always ask questions at the reference desk or at any of the other service desks, or by sending email to ask@library.ucsb.edu

1. Choose a topic and plan the search

Consider your research problem: what do you need to know and what are you trying to find out? What is the point of your paper?
Decide what types of sources you will need: books, articles, encyclopedias, maps, etc.
Gather background information on the topic: start with a specialized encyclopedia in your discipline, or a search of the Encyclopedia Britannica online http://search.eb.com.
Use questions to help define your topic and to help you write a clear, focused research question.

2. Search for information & put together a list of sources

Reference guides: available at the reference desks, these list general sources of information to help in starting research.
Books: provide most detailed background information. Use the online catalog, pegasus, http://pegasus.library.ucsb.edu/ to find books and other materials owned by the UCSB libraries.
Articles: for more current or specific information.
Chose from the library's indexes and databases list: http://www.library.ucsb.edu/databases/ Expanded academic index is a good database to try; or use a subject-specific database that is more specifically geared to your particular subject.
General web resources: begin with the library's subject guides: http://www.library.ucsb.edu/subj/ Remember: anyone can put up a web page so be sure to carefully evaluate the information you find on the web.
Other types of information: maps, photographs, an expert or knowledgeable individuals, an almanac, etc. Ask at the reference desk for help.

3. Evaluate your progress

Evaluate your sources for bias: try to distinguish between fact and opinion. Most articles, books and web pages are written from the author or publisher's point of view.
What is the source: where did the author(s) get their information?
Evaluate sources for usefulness: eliminate those that are not relevant or that are dated.
Check bibliographies of books and journal articles to find more sources.
Is there enough material? Is there too much? Do you need to revise your topic? Search again to broaden or narrow the search, or to change the point of view.

4. Process the information & cite your sources

Give credit to the authors of your sources. Let the reader know where you got your information. This avoids plagiarism and incorporating research from experts gives your paper credibility.
Put together a bibliography. Books: list author, title, publisher, place and date of publication; articles: list author, titles, journal name, volume, date, and page numbers.
Study the material from your bibliography: highlight article copies, or take notes of material. Organize facts into areas: introduction, discussion, examples, conclusion, etc.
Look for gaps: find material to fill these holes.

5. Style manuals: information on how to cite your sources

The following are available in the Davidson Library (call numbers are listed):

Additional guides on the web: http://www.library.ucsb.edu/ref/online-ref.html#help
Ask a librarian for help in finding more or better sources.

--DeDecker and Janet Martorana, Reference Librarians, Davidson Library

ask@library.ucsb.edu

The Davidson Library Main Reference Desk offers an email reference service as an alternative to telephone or walk-in services for brief factual questions, or for assistance in getting started on library research. A reference librarian responds within 24 hours.

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