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Introduction
In this guide, you'll find:
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Resources and strategies for your section's research unit:
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Recommended reference sources for background readings
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Recommended databases for finding scholarly articles
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Library catalog for finding books
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Recommended collections of Primary Sources
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Contact information for your librarian
Brainstorm Keywords
Use some basic questions to help you brainstorm keywords, or search terms, for your topic.
WHO |
- Who is involved? Who is affected?
- Are there key figures related to your topic?
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WHAT |
- What are the key issues and questions surrounding your topic?
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WHEN |
- Are there key dates associated with your topic? When did major events related to your topic happen?
- Are you focused on a particular period of history?
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WHERE |
- Is there a geographic location that is important to your topic?
- Can you focus your topic on a particular location?
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HOW |
- How will you find out about your topic? Do you need primary sources?
- Is there a particular methodology associated with the kind of research you'll be doing?
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WHY |
- Why are you interested in your topic? Why should others be interested?
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When you have a list of keywords, take a second pass through it and try to come up with synonyms or related terms.
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