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PAID 112 Section 05: Kopf (Spring 2024)

Transhumanism

Introduction

In this guide you will find:

  • Resources and strategies for your section's research unit:
    • Recommended reference sources for background readings
    • Recommended databases for finding scholarly articles
    • Library catalog for finding books
    • Contact information for your librarian

The Perfect Source? Not Likely

Research isn't about finding that one perfect source that makes all the connections for you.

It's about pulling together information that helps you formulate your ideas and make the argument yourself. This video (2 minutes) explains why finding one perfect source isn't feasible, and describes some ways you can be strategic about your searching.

Video posted on YouTube by North Carolina State University Libraries under a Creative Commons 3.0 BY-NC-SA US license.

How to generate keywords / search terms

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?
WHAT
  • What are the key issues and questions surrounding your topic?
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?
WHERE
  • Is there a geographic location that is important to your topic? 
  • Can you focus your topic on a particular location?
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?
WHY
  • Why are you interested in your topic? Why should others be interested?
► When you have a list of keywords, take a second pass through it and try to develop synonyms or related terms. If you need help, use the Merriam-Webster Thesaurus.

► Mind Maps: Write your main topic in a circle. Draw smaller circles connected to your main topic and write different related subtopics. Repeat that step with your subtopics, writing in even more focused subtopics. Here is one example from Credo Reference.

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Content © Luther College Preus Library, 700 College Drive, Decorah, IA 52101 (563) 387-1166 Creative Commons License
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