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	Guide to Library Research	Why Research?	Research Strategy

Welcome to the University of Manitoba's Guide to Library Research

Researching is one of the most important skills you will use at the University of Manitoba. Scholarship requires solid research. You are required to do research for your assignments because you are learning to be a part of the scholarly community. Knowing how to research will help you find meaningful answers to questions throughout your life.

This Guide to Library Research will teach you the concepts and skills you need to effectively research in the library and online. Start by following the blue boxes above, or clicking the forward arrow below. The first step is understanding why you need to do research

Pages in Guide to Library Research
	Guide to Library Research	Why Research?	Research Strategy

Why Should I Do Research?

You are expected to take part in scholarship while at the University of Manitoba. Your instructors teach you facts, theories, and concepts taken from previous and current scholarship. When you write papers, give presentations, or do assignments, you are expected to take part in scholarship and build on current, collective knowledge.

Research is an important part of writing and presenting scholarly work. Scholars build their ideas by learning everything they can from the people who studied before them. In order to be a good scholar, you need to research what other scholars have said before you.

What Is Scholarship?

The Oxford English Dictionary defines scholarship as, "the collective attainments of scholars; the sphere of polite learning." Scholarship includes all the work that has been produced by scholars in various areas.

Scholarship is like a giant discussion that has been taking place since ancient times. Each scholar defines an area of the world that they then examine thoroughly using all the knowledge that is available from other scholars and sources. They share their findings with other scholars through writing, presentations, and discussions. A clear picture of the world only really appears when all of the findings are combined.

The goal of scholarship is to learn about the nature of the universe using discussion and research. New scholarship builds on old scholarship, creating a collective, tested understanding of the world.

Characteristics of Scholarly Work

• Defines and limits the area to be examined. (In other words, the scholar breaks off a small question about the world so they can actually examine it thoroughly. The point of a thesis statement when writing is to define the area that you are going to examine.)
• Presents reasons and evidence rather than opinions and feelings.
• Says something people do not already know.
• Is interested in discussion, dialogue, and sharing information.
• Credits the sources of ideas and quotations that are consulted, borrowed from, and used.
• Presents information in a formal, organized way. (This means that the text is free of spelling and grammatical errors, and contains certain elements, such as an introduction, conclusion, thesis statement, and bibliography.)

Pages in Guide to Library Research
	Guide to Library Research	Why Research?	Research Strategy

Where Do I Begin?

Steps to Beginning Your Research

1. Understand Your Assignment:
   • Read your assignment sheet from your professor and pay close attention to the verbs (action words). Instructors use words like argue, analyze, compare, or describe to guide your approach to a topic. If you are not sure of what the instructor wants, schedule a meeting with the instructor and ask for guidance.
     How to Talk to your Professor
   • Does the assignment contain multiple tasks?
   • Note any special instructions.
2. Background Reading:
   • Now that you understand what the assignment is about, do background reading from your course materials, such as your textbook, assigned readings, and reserves. You can also use internet resources to find general information about your topic.
3. Plan a Search Strategy:
   • Define your topic and the area you intend to focus on within that topic. Look for issues to argue and focus on, and find elements you feel strongly about.
     E-Tools Topic Help
   • Brainstorm search terms that describe your topic. Write down synonyms and alternative spellings for each term.
     British vs. American Spellings