|
|
|||||||
|
Research Process Introduction
This is a brief guide for starting the research process that should be enough to get you started with the basics of filling informational needs. Be sure to extrapolate additional resources from bibliographies contained within consulted resources. All listed resources on this site are free of charge and in the case of electronic resources accessible from any place with an Internet connection. When using NCLive from a non-library computer, get the password from the Reference desk if you are an HPL cardholder. Brief
Overview Of What To Do Before Starting Your Research
Familiarize
yourself with the key terms of your research area before starting your research.
Know the key figures and the most commonly used terminology for your research
area. If unfamiliar with the needed terms, a subject area dictionary or
encyclopedia is a good place to get these. If
unfamiliar with the area being researched, try a general subject area Internet
link page or consult a general print reference resource on the topic being
researched. Either should give a basic overview of the concepts and key
individuals involved. Formulate
The Premise/Purpose Of Your Research
State
your topic in the form of a statement or question. Have a clear idea of the type
of information sought and know which area of inquiry is needed. If you cannot
clearly articulate your research topic you are not ready to start the research
process. At minimum, you must have a mental outline of the known facts and the
sought for facts. An answer cannot be sought if the question is unknown. Starting
The Research Process
Start
with the library card catalog to see what print resources are available. The HPL
card catalog may be accessed here.
If not physically in the library, try a general Internet link in the subject
area of research. Either of these will give the basic overview and grounds
needed. At the least, this step will give the necessary keywords for entering
into search tools, even if an adequate number of print resources are not
possessed for your topic. Next,
examine any relevant print journals owned in-house at HPL. If the desired
periodicals and journals are not owned, check NCLive
for them. (Note: A password is required to access NCLive from
outside the library. The password is available from any service desk or by
phone to library card holders.) If NCLive doesn't have them, check to see
if Catawba
County Library or Lenoir
Rhyne College Library has the needed journals. Feel free to check any other
library's resources. After
exhausting the print resources contained at HPL and other local libraries, try a
database search on NCLive. Last,
do an Internet search to obtain any information lacking in the print resources
and NCLive. Use the information obtained in the Print and NCLive parts of the
research process to help formulate keywords and search strategies for the
Internet search. Then start your Internet search. Refine it as needed while
searching. If you need help with a search tool, or with search strategies, click
here. If familiar with the topical area being researched, the print resource consultation steps may be skipped if you are only interested in the electronic resources. Interlibrary
Loan is an option towards obtaining print materials that are not owned in-house
or not accessible online. Up to three items per week can be requested via ILL.
For ILL service, please call 304-0500, Ext. 231, or come by the Reference Desk.
You must have a valid HPL card and owe no library fines to use this service. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||