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Research</span><meta property="url" content="https://www.library.cornell.edu/study/introduction-to-research/"><meta property="position" content="3"></span> </nav> <section class="content-post"> <article id="post-216" class="post-216 page type-page status-publish hentry"> <header class="entry-header"> <h1 class="entry-title">Getting Started with Library Research</h1> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <p>Research needs and requirements vary with each assignment, project, or paper. Although there is no single “right” way to conduct research, certain methods and skills can make your research efforts more efficient and effective.</p> <p>If you have questions or can’t find what you need, <a href="/get-help/ask/">ask a librarian</a>.</p> <div class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle" id="ub-content-toggle-41a27997-0d2f-4471-b263-f878ce403051" data-mobilecollapse="true" data-desktopcollapse="true"> <div id="topic" class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion"> <div class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap"" aria-controls="ub-content-toggle-panel-0-41a27997-0d2f-4471-b263-f878ce403051" tabindex="0"> <h2 class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-41a27997-0d2f-4471-b263-f878ce403051">Developing a Research Topic</h2><div class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right"><span class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down"></span> </div></div><div role="region" aria-expanded="false" class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide" id="ub-content-toggle-panel-0-41a27997-0d2f-4471-b263-f878ce403051"> <p>All research starts with a question. </p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="/get-help/meet-with-a-librarian/">Discuss your ideas with a librarian</a> or with your professor. </li> <li>Formulate a research question and identify keywords. </li> <li>Search subject-focused encyclopedias, books, and journals to see what kind of information already exists on your topic. If you are having trouble finding information, you may need to change your search terms or ask for help. </li> </ul> <p>Additional resources:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://guides.library.cornell.edu/sevensteps/steps">Library Research at Cornell</a></li> <li><a href="https://guides.library.cornell.edu/home">Research Guides</a></li> </ul> </div></div> <div id="materials" class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion"> <div class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap"" aria-controls="ub-content-toggle-panel-1-41a27997-0d2f-4471-b263-f878ce403051" tabindex="0"> <h2 class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-41a27997-0d2f-4471-b263-f878ce403051">Using the Library to Find Research Materials</h2><div class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right"><span class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down"></span> </div></div><div role="region" aria-expanded="false" class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide" id="ub-content-toggle-panel-1-41a27997-0d2f-4471-b263-f878ce403051"> <p>The Library is the top resource when it comes to locating and accessing research materials.</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Use the <a href="https://catalog.library.cornell.edu/">library catalog</a> to find materials such as books, music, videos, journals, and audio recordings in <a href="/collections/">our collections.</a></li> <li>Search <a href="https://newcatalog.library.cornell.edu/databases">databases</a> to find articles, book chapters, and other sources within a specific subject area or discipline.</li> <li>For materials the Library does not own, use <a href="/study/borrow-renew-return/request/borrow-direct/">BorrowDirect</a> or <a href="/study/borrow-renew-return/request/interlibrary-loan/">Interlibrary Loan</a> for quick and easy access.</li> <li>Each library unit has unique collections and subject knowledge. See <a href="/libraries/">individual library websites</a> for additional resources in specific subject areas. </li> <li>Check out our <a href="https://guides.library.cornell.edu/home">library research guides</a> for lists of resources curated by library staff. Browse by subject or find guides specific to course offerings. </li> </ul> </div></div> <div id="evaluating" class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion"> <div class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap"" aria-controls="ub-content-toggle-panel-2-41a27997-0d2f-4471-b263-f878ce403051" tabindex="0"> <h2 class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-41a27997-0d2f-4471-b263-f878ce403051">Evaluating Sources</h2><div class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right"><span class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down"></span> </div></div><div role="region" aria-expanded="false" class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide" id="ub-content-toggle-panel-2-41a27997-0d2f-4471-b263-f878ce403051"> <p>When using a book, article, report, or website for your research, it is important to gauge how reliable the source is. Visit these research guides for more information:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://guides.library.cornell.edu/scholarlyjournals">How to distinguish scholarly vs non-scholarly sources</a></li> <li><a href="https://guides.library.cornell.edu/critically_analyzing">Tips for critically analyzing information sources</a></li> <li><a href="https://guides.library.cornell.edu/evaluate_news/workshops">Identify misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda</a></li> </ul> </div></div> <div id="citing" class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion"> <div class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap"" aria-controls="ub-content-toggle-panel-3-41a27997-0d2f-4471-b263-f878ce403051" tabindex="0"> <h2 class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-41a27997-0d2f-4471-b263-f878ce403051">Citing Sources </h2><div class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right"><span class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down"></span> </div></div><div role="region" aria-expanded="false" class="wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide" id="ub-content-toggle-panel-3-41a27997-0d2f-4471-b263-f878ce403051"> <p>When writing a research paper, it is important to cite the sources you used in a way that would enable a reader to easily find them. </p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="/study/tools-for-success/citation-management/">Citation Management</a></li> <li><a href="https://guides.library.cornell.edu/annotatedbibliography">How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography</a></li> <li><a href="https://theuniversityfaculty.cornell.edu/dean/academic-integrity/code-of-academic-integrity/">Code of Academic Integrity</a></li> </ul> </div></div> </div> <script> document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', (event) => { const accordionTitleWraps = document.querySelectorAll('.wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap'); 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