Find Sources

Often, when doing research for an academic paper, you will find one source can lead to other useful information, so keep your eye open for this when you are checking out sources. As well:

• gather several different viewpoints to appreciate the topic's complexity;
• search the BISON catalogue for books, journals and other material in the UM Libraries' collections and search NETDOC databases for journal citations, full-text resources, abstracts; and
• make a complete reference note card for each source as you work so that you don't have to spend time looking for this information later.

Evaluate Resources

Students frequently skip the evaluation step of the research process. They think finding a resource - any resource - is enough. However, spending hours reading through weak information sources is a waste of your time.

Resources need to match your instructor's requirements and be relevant to your research topic. Don't "force" a resource to fit your assignment - keep searching until you find one you can really use.

A good resource will help you:

• support an argument;

• refute an argument;

• give examples; or

• provide "wrong" information you can challenge.

Key Resources
How to do Research
Website Evaluation Chart