1. Determine your subject
State or define your subject of interest (assigned or chosen) as narrowly or as broadly as you like. You want to have enough to cover but not be swamped. If the choice is yours, choose something which will hold your interest. Write a dictionary type definition of your subject in your own words. Use dictionaries to provide other wordings of definition. General dictionaries, like Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, or topical dictionaries may help provide more definition. How wide or narrow is your subject (Bible is wide, Biblical architecture is narrow)
2. Develop your basic research question and support questions
3. Create bibliography
Do not settle for the first things you find. Find the best things. Then you can narrow down. Be as complete as possible. Do not let yourself discover the best materials too late. Expect that the best materials will not be available at the last minute.
Use all parts of the library.
a. There are reference books (dictionaries, atlases, handbooks) on almost every topic. Because of demand, reference books cannot be taken out of the library.
b. Many books with bibliographies are in the Circulating Materials section of the library or Stacks. These books can be checked out of the library.
c. Computer resources should be used.
d. Periodical indexes and abstracts point the way to relevant literature.
4. Compose timeline
Establish sequence of important relevant events. A timeline makes a great appendix when history is involved.
5. Learn principle call number areas
We use the Dewey decimal system. Most small libraries use this same system. Larger libraries, especially those in universities, tend to use the Library of Congress (LC) classification system. Dewey starts with a number between 001 and 999, and then has a letter, then more numbers and a year. LC classification begins with a letter or two, like B or BX, and then is followed by numbers. Learning how classification works saves time.
6. Start broad and go narrow
Get the large picture. Reference books are good at providing the large picture in a quick to read format.
7. Browse
Books on the same subject tend to be together.
8. Use a range of alternative words
List related terms, narrower terms, broader terms, and synonyms. Source: dictionary, thesaurus, subject headings in catalog.
9. Use full information
Just because we do not have a book listed under a subject heading does not mean that we do not have information regarding your subject in our books. Use the range of words you know, searching the table of contents and index.
10. Ask basic questions
Who? Who are the major people or characters involved? Who would know? Who would be responsible to know? Who would care?
Source: biographical dictionary, directory, Yellow Pages, Encyclopedia of Associations
What? What happened? What does your audience already know? What background does your audience need?
When? What sequence is involved? Source: historical dictionary
Where? Where did the event occur? Where do (did) the people live? Where do the people who are most knowledgeable about the subject live or work? Source: geographical dictionary, atlas, gazetteer, map
Why? What was the purpose or motivation (if knowable)? Is purpose determinable from result? Were consequences unintended?
How? What was the process or means? How did it happen? How will you gather the information? How can you best convey the story or information?
11. Sources
Some sources apply better to some types of research than others.
Living people could be interviewed.
Field research could be conducted.
Statistics Will they help paint the picture? Are they reliable? How should they be interpreted? Source: Statistical Abstracts of the United States, World Almanac & Book of Facts, Historical Statistics of the United States
12. Keep track of what you have done
Keep a list of what you have searched, and where. Avoid unnecessary backtracking. This will be helpful if you are finding much or little.
13. Use primary sources as much as possible
Second hand information is not as good as first hand information. Primary sources = first hand information.
14. Do not limit yourself to one library
If you start early, much material can be acquired by physically going there or using Inter-Library Loan (ILL).
15. Edit and Proofread
Has all been said? Imagine an important critic reading, then your making corrections. What is unclear? What might your reading audience find unclear? What needs to be developed further? What could be left out, with no loss? Is everything in order? Will you hold your audience's attention? What can improve the overall production? What could be in appendix? Can footnotes be expanded? Have you avoided citing common knowledge? Can you put more in your own words? What information beyond bibliographic documentation could go in footnotes, for the benefit of the reader? Have others read your work. Others will see what you do not see