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 Successful Research Strategy

• Task Definition
  What needs to be done? What is my topic?  What do I want to know about my topic?
  • Define the problem
  • Identify the information needed
• Information Seeking Strategies
  What resources can I use?
  • Brainstorm possible sources
  • Select best sources
• Location & Access
  Where can I find these resources?  What are my possible Search Terms?
  Have I checked The 5 Basic Resources @ LHHS?
  • Locate sources
  • Find information within sources
• Use of Information
  What can I use from these resources?
  • Engage (e.g. read, hear, observe, touch)
  • Extract relevant information
• Synthesis
  What can I make to finish the job?
  • Organize information from multiple sources
  • Present the result
• Evaluation
  How will I know I did the job well?  How can I learn from what I have done about the process.
  • Judge the result
  • Judge the process

   

The 5 Basic Resources @ LHHS

1. OPAC
   The card catalog on the computer - used for looking for books by subject, title, or author.

2. EBSCO Magazine Database / Wilsondisc
   Used for finding magazine articles.  EBSCO is a web-based computer program containing full-text articles. Wilsondisc is an index to magazine articles kept in the library.  The library's magazine collection covers a bigger time span than that covered by EBSCO.

3. SIRS Knowledge Source
   A collection of magazine and newspaper reprints.  A good source for article on current issues.

4. Newsbank
   Back issues of the L.A. Times.

5. Internet Search
   

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"Chance favors the prepared mind"
Louis Pasteur

Last modified: May 15, 2001