Get Started Researching

Need help getting started with your library research process? We've outlined the research process steps below. We also have guides on using the library and researching specific topics.

Step 1. Choose a Research Topic

Topic Development (from UNCW Writing Center)
Choosing a Topic (from Purdue Online Writing Lab)

Step 2. Develop a Search Strategy

Fill out our Research Strategy Worksheet
Developing a Library Research Strategy

Step 3. Find Background Information

Try looking up your topic in Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, Gale Virtual Reference Center, or Sage eReference.
Look for subject encyclopedias by searching the Library Catalog (e.g. encyclopedia and psychology)

Step 4. Find Books

View a tutorial on Finding Books
Search for books: Find Books & Print Materials
Get items from other libraries

Step 5. Find Articles

View a tutorial on Finding Articles
Search for articles: Find Articles on a Topic
Get items from other libraries

Step 6. Evaluate Your Sources

View a tutorial on Popular vs Scholarly articles
Learn questions to ask when Evaluating Information
Evaluating Web Sources

Step 7. Cite your Sources

Citation & Bibliography Help
How to Recognize Plagiarism
Make an Appointment for citation assistance with the Writing Center

Step 8. Write Your Paper & Get Peer Review

How to create outlines, write drafts and much more (pdfs)
Make an Appointment with the Writing Center

Need Help?

Chat requires JavaScript.

Assignment Calculator

ClockTower Plan your writing assignment & sign-up for email reminders!

Featured Tutorial

tutorial Online Searching Using Randall Library

Get a quick overview of how to do research in Randall Library using our online resources.

Advanced Research Tools

Endnote Web - An online citation management and citation style helper

Alert Services - Get alerts when new articles on your topic are published

Tools & Widgets -Tools to speed up your research

Library Toolbar - Quick access to library resources from your browser