Library Research for College Students: Step-by-Step

Information-Seeking: What Does Success Look Like?

You'll know you are successful when you have found good credible research sources that help you accomplish your task

• an assignment or research project for class
• a personal question answered 

There are strategies you can use to make the process go more smoothly and they are discussed in this LibGuide.

Research Steps Overview

Use the links to access more detailed information about each of the six steps.

Step 1: Choose your broad topic area

• Choose a broad topic area that you enjoy or are interested in or curious about
  • Personal interest -  arts/crafts, sports, cars, cooking, gardening, genealogy, etc,
  • Career interest -  related to your program at Western or future job goal
  • The world around you - current events, news, social issues, politics, etc.

 Step 2: Gather background information to narrow your topic focus

• Broad topic area: gardening
  • | Narrowed topic focus: native plants of Western Wisconsin
• Broad topic area: health care field 
  • | Narrowed topic focus: pediatric nursing
• Broad topic area: climate change 
  • | Narrowed topic focus:  how fossil fuels contribute to extreme weather events

      Step 3: Use search terms and strategies to find articles in Library Databases 

Library Database Links and Tutorials

   Step 4: FindBooks in the Library (if needed)
 

  Step 5: Evaluate Your Sources for Credibility and Relevance

    Step 6: Use your notes to pull the pieces together and prepare for the writing process