English 102 Research Guide

Hello Everyone,

This guide brings together the library resources that you will need to complete your research project for English 102. If you have any questions while you are working on this assignment, please contact the library. It's our job to help you! :) You can sign up for a research consultation with a librarian. You can also chat with a librarian by using the chat box on this page or in the library catalog and databases. 

Thanks, 
Katie Ediger, Truman College Library Department Chair   

Now apply what you learned about keywords. Let's use this topic as an example: How do psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin and MDMA, help in the treatment of depression and other mental health conditions? 

• What are the key concepts/ ideas of this question?  
• Now list at least three words for each of your concepts (think synonyms). These can be more specific or broader than your original term. 

When looking at the Library Catalog, try to answer the following questions:

1. How many results do you get on the "online" tab?
2. What kind of sources?
3. How can you refine the results?
4. How would you save one of these sources?
5. How would you cite one of the sources?

Finding a foundational source is a great way to focus your research. Ideally a foundational source gives you in-depth coverage and research on a topic. This source can be used to find additional sources and help frame your research question. 

The Library Catalog is a great place to start looking for a foundational document, particularly for books. In addition, the sources below are all publications where you might look for a foundational source.  

Example Topic: Reparations for Black Americans

Foundational Source: Coates, Ta-Nehisi. “The Case for Reparations.” The Atlantic, vol. 313, no. 5, June 2014, p. 54. 

Now that we have some sources, how do we evaluate them?

1. Does the way that you evaluate library resources differ from how you evaluate results you find on the web?

2. What factors should you think about when evaluating if a source is credible or not?

Take a moment to evaluate the most promising source you have found. Fill out the Source Evaluation Practice form.