How do I get started?
Get Familiar With the Libraries
- CLUE: an online tutorial with an introduction to the UW libraries
- Workshops and Library Tours
- Libraries in a Nutshell Program
- UW-Madison Library Web site
Get Started on a Research Project
Figure Out What You Need to Know
If you just aren't sure what you need to know or where to start, it's time to ask a librarian. College Library is particularly focused on the needs of those new to academic research and the librarians there will be able to ask you the right questions to help you figure out where to begin.
How do I choose a topic?
Choosing a topic can be one of the most difficult parts of a research project. If you have the option, try to choose a topic that interests you.
Generate Topic Ideas
Use the following resources to get ideas for your topic:
- Undergraduate Research Guides
- Newspapers and Electronic News Sources
- CQ Researcher and Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center
for social and controversial issues - Hot Topics
for government issues and projects (from U of Louisville)
Do Some Background Research
Use general, popular sources such as magazine articles, Wikipedia, encyclopedias, or introductory books on your topic to learn a little more. Although some of these may be inappropriate sources for your ultimate paper, they can give you useful background information and specific names or phrases that you can use to search for more scholarly sources.
Refine Your Topic
The general topic you first consider will evolve as you learn more about the topic and in order to meet the criteria of your assignment.How do I find scholarly articles?
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Find articles using library databases
- Choose a database
- Search for a good article
- Basic Search Strategies
- Search strategies when you're getting too few results (flash tutorial)
- Search strategies when you're getting too many results (flash tutorial)
- Get the article
Find articles using Google Scholar
Distinguish between scholarly and popular articles
- Tips for recognizing scholarly articles
- Identifying scholarly articles (flash tutorial)
How do I find books on my topic?
Resources and Tips
- Search MadCat, the UW-Madison library catalog. For easy pick-up, place a request on a book and have it sent from one library to another
- See tips for finding books by title, author or topic in MadCat
- Use UW System Search (searches other UW campuses) if the book you need is not available at UW-Madison
- Use Library Express if the book you need is not available at any UW campus
Video Tutorials
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- Find a specific book: view video
- Use Book Retrieval to have a book sent from one library to another: view video
- Use UW System Search to order books from other UW campuses: view video
How do I know if a source is good?
Being able to find information on your topic doesn't do you any good unless the source of the information is reliable.
Learn about evaluating sources.