I: Choose a Topic

1. Find a topic of interest to you. Consult:
   • Course materials (textbook, handouts, etc.)
   • Instructor and/or peers
   • Personal interests
   • Library databases (ex: Opposing Viewpoints or Newspaper Source)
   • Reference sources (browse the library’s print collection or an online reference database)
   • Websites (see our Recommended Websites)

TIP: Be sure your topic is of manageable size and appropriate for the assignment.

2. Turn your Topic into a Question. This will help focus your topic. For example, if you were interested in anxiety disorder, you might ask: What are the causes of anxiety in children?

3. Identify keywords. These are the main ideas or concepts of your topic question. Keep a list of these words because you will use them when searching for information on your topic. You will also want to come up with related terms in order to expand your searching.

Example topic question: What are the causes of anxiety in children?

TIP: When searching, string your keywords together with “and” rather than entering the entire research question. Mix and match terms depending on results.
Example: causes and panic and youth

II: Plan your Search

1. Determine what information you need. Ask yourself the following questions:

• How many sources do I need? (Did your instructor give you a number?)
• What types of sources do I need? (Books? Articles? See Getting Started.)

2. Get background information on your topic. Use our online reference databases to gather information on the broader context of your topic. This preliminary research will also help identify more keywords for searching.

TIP: Start early! Check out some useful planning tools at Help with your Research, such as the Planning Worksheet, Assignment Calculator, and Subject Guides.

III: Find Information

TIP: As you are searching, be sure to keep track of all the information you will need to create your bibliography. Copy the title page of books, and print out article citations.

1. Books: Use the online library catalog to find books and other materials at the MxCC Library. You can also borrow books from other libraries. Current MxCC students, faculty, and staff may request an item not available at MxCC (you will need to provide the item's title, author, and publication information).

2. Articles: Articles are found in periodicals (newspapers, magazines, journals, etc.), and can be searched through the online databases. You may start with a general database, or select a subject-specific one (depending on your topic). Most will be full-text online; for those that are not, use the online form to request copies.
   • If your instructor asks you to find academic or “scholarly” articles only, check the box labeled “peer-reviewed” or “refereed” in the databases.
3. Internet Sources: Start with our Recommended Websites. When searching for other sites, be careful! Not all information on the web is trustworthy. Be sure to verify information you've found with another source, and evaluate each site for accuracy and currency.

TIP: You may need to modify your topic and/or keywords, depending on your results.

IV: Use the Info Ethically

1. Avoid plagiarism!

• “Defined as the use of another’s idea(s) or phrases(s) and representing that/those idea(s) as your own, either intentionally or unintentionally. […] Prohibited in accordance with the Board of Trustees’ Proscribed Conduct Policy. […] Violations of the Code of Academic Honesty will result in appropriate disciplinary action.” ~ MxCC Student Handbook

2. Cite ALL of your sources (including images) using:
• Quotations
• In-text references
• A bibliography or works cited page

TIP: Check with your instructor to see what citation style he or she prefers. Follow the recommended style carefully.

3. Citation sources:
• In print: Ask us for a handout on APA or MLA style. For more detailed information, take a look at the citation manuals, located in the Writing & Research Guides section (across from the main library desk).
• Online: Look under “Following Guidelines” in Help with your Research to find APA, MLA, and Other Citation Style Guides.