Research Management Tools
- Guide for Developing a Research QuestionUse this editable guide as you develop your topic into a research question. Save your work.
- Research 101 MatrixUse this Google doc to save your work as you move through the research process.
Research Process
Explore Topics
If you're not sure what to write about, use these resources to find a topic of interest that will fit your assignment.
- CQ ResearcherThis database covers the most important and controversial issues of the day. Published weekly, each issue provides a comprehensive overview and background essay, data tables and graphs, chronology, pro-con starter, and list of relevant major research and advocacy groups.
- Opposing Viewpoints in ContextPresents informed, differing views on each side of an issue using targeted arguments from recognized subject-matter experts and top journalistic sources.
- Pros and Cons of Debate Topics | BritannicaPresents debated issues in a non-partisan format with supporting background information, statistics, and resources.
Build Background
Research topics are often formed from a vague or general idea. Background information is used for providing definitions, historical background or context, and for expanding your topic idea.
Begin with Gale Virtual Reference Library (now called Gale eBooks) to quickly locate information on your topic or to help you focus your topic idea.
Conducting Background Research (1:06) is an important part of the overall research process. This quick video will give you tips on how to go about this part of the process.
Develop Research Questions
Once you have selected an initial topic of interest, the next step is to develop research questions.
To begin:
- Write down what you already know or don't know about the topic.
- Using the information you wrote down, develop questions you'd like to answer when doing your research.
- Use probing questions such as why? how? what if? should?
- Avoid questions that can be answered with yes or no.
This one minute video below shows you how:
Brainstorm Keywords
The search terms you use will depend on your topic. The most important words related to your topic are called keywords.
Start with keywords you already know and use to describe your topic. Read through background information by looking in your textbook, reading reference sources, or searching the web to gather terms that are used to describe your topic.
Brainstorm related words to the main keywords you have in mind, like synonyms, or words that have the same meaning. Different authors or sources may use different words to describe the same idea or concept.
Examples
| Explore Topics | Build Background | Develop Questions | Brainstorm Keywords |
|---|---|---|---|
| college students and stress | Read about the kinds of stress college students experience as well as ways to reduce stress. | How does financial stress impact college persistence and/or completion rates? |
college students: university, undergraduate financial: money, tuition, loans completion: retention, persistence, graduation |
| labor unions in the U.S. | Read about labor unions in different industries and in different eras. | How did the labor unions in the automotive industry impact the U.S. economy in the 1970s? |
labor unions: UAW automotive industry: Chrysler, General Motors, Ford 1970s U.S. economy: GDP, Detroit |
| pollution and birds | Read about the impact of pollution on birds in a variety of contexts. | What is the impact of water pollution on aquatic birds? |
water: ocean, river, lake pollution: oil, sewage, chemical runoff birds: waterfowl, seagulls, ducks |
Once you have developed your research question and brainstormed keywords, you're ready to begin searching for articles and/or books on your topic.
Databases - Find Articles
- Academic Search Complete This link opens in a new windowMulti-disciplinary full-text database that indexes thousands of journal articles across many disciplines.
- Web of Science Core Collection This link opens in a new windowWeb of Science Core Collection indexes primary journals and article citations in several databases spanning a wide range of disciplines.
Is There a Guide for That?
| UK Libraries has a huge number of resources, and it can be hard to know how to get started. Be sure to look at our Research Guides to see if there is a Subject or Course Guide that will help you. | These guides can point you to the best resources for your research area or course assignment. For example, check out these guides for WRD 110 and CIS 110. |
Concept Mapping
It may be useful to create a concept map (also known as a mind map) while brainstorming for research topic ideas. A concept map is just a visual representation of information. See examples and tips on concept mapping below.
Carnegie Mellon University Libraries: Concept Mapping and Brainstorming
Library Info
Make sure you can access all your accounts.
- Your InfoKat account: find due dates, renew books, see any fines, track your requests, save records and searches. Learn more about your borrowing privileges.
- Your LinkbBlue account: get off-campus access to databases, articles, e-books, and more.
- Your ILLiad account (uses your LinkBlue credentials): place orders, renew loans, access articles. Learn more about Interlibrary Loan.
- It's a great idea to create your own accounts in EBSCOhost, JSTOR, Web of Science, and other resources to save searches, records, make lists, etc.
You can get in-depth research help.
- You can request a research consultation at any time.
- You can work with a librarian with expertise in a specific subject area.
You can request the library materials you need for your research.
- Recommend library materials for purchase.
- You have access to items in our campus libraries, storage, or from other libraries which you can request to pick up at any campus library.
- You can request access to items that UK Libraries doesn't own via your ILLiad account.