Step 3 of A Research Process
- A Research Process
- Objectives
- Steps in a Research Process
- Managing an Extended Research Process
- Research or Empirical Research Studies
- Literature Reviews
Step 3: Determine the information requirements
In this step, you determine the information requirements for the research question -- where will you find the information you need?
Learn what specific resources are available concerning your topic:
- meet with a reference librarian
- find books using keyword or subject searching in the library's online catalog
- use indexes and abstracts to find journal / periodical articles
- choose appropriate indexes for the subject you are researching. For example, you should not use an index of business resources to search for information concerning European history.
- refer to the Sawyer Library's list of databases organized by broad subject areas for assistance
- find resources via the World Wide Web
- refer to the Sawyer Library's academic-based Web subject directories to locate information sources on the Web in addition to the Sawyer Library's Help and Research Guides, and Free Selected Web Sites