Research takes planning and skill. In class, you have become familiar with Shasta College Library's WEBCATalog and a few online databases. On your own, you have explored the Internet. Now it's time to develop a research strategy that will help you determine the kind of information that you need and the best source to use for finding that information.

1. Define your topic.


Choose a topic appropriate for your assignment, one that is neither too broad nor too narrow. Seek your instructor's assistance in selecting a topic that is appropriate for the assignment.

Topic Too Broad Topic Narrowed

school violence school violence prevention

hurricanes life cycle of hurricanes

volcanoes stages of a volcano

water water supply

2. State the topic as a question. Mrs. Sawyer recommends choosing one of the following for the process paper:

• Discuss school violence prevention programs currently being used in the United States. How do violence prevention programs work? Are they effective?
• What is the life cycle of the hurricane?
• What are the stages of a volcano?
• How does the city of Redding get its water supply?

1. Identify terms that describe the key ideas or questions that you will address.

• School Violence Prevention

1. Decide what kind of information you need and the best source to provide that information. Some research tasks can be satisfied with one source, but many papers will require consultation of a few resources.

More Specifically
 

What do I need?	Which source should I use?	Where is this resource located?
I'm just getting started and looking for basic definitions and background information.	Encyclopedias and handbooks.	Shasta College Library's Online Research Databases: Facts.com Shasta College Library's Internet Reference Collection: Encyclopedias: Britannica.com
I'm ready for a more in-depth, detailed explanation	A book, reference work, or Internet website.	1) WEBCATalog for books. Librarians Index to the Internet for websites. 3) Ask a librarian.
I want a report of a recent event.	Newspapers are best.	Shasta College Library's Online Research Databases: 1)National Newspapers (Proquest) 2)USA Today 3)Sacramento Bee 4)San Francisco Chronicle
I want a report of a recent, local event.	Newspapers again, but try the ones from California.	1) Record-Searchlight, print edition. The Internet version www.redding.com is current but incomplete.
I want to read current discussion about my topic.	Print magazines or online databases.	Shasta College Library's Online Research Databases: 1)EBSCOHost 2)Academic Reference Center Gold 3)SIRS Knowledge Source
I need some statistics to help to prove a point.	Almanacs, statistical abstracts (book or online), Internet, online databases.	1)Statistical Abstracts of the United States is shelved at the Reference Desk in the Library and is also available on the Internet. 2) Almanacs for 2001 are shelved at the Reference Desk. 3)Shasta College Library's Online Research Databases: Facts.com and A Matter of Fact
I want to know if any organizations address my topic.	Encyclopedia of Associations leads you to a brief description. The Internet provides a webpage.	1)Encyclopedia of Associations [AS22 .E5] is shelved in Reference. 2)Librarians Index to Internet or Metasearch will help locate webpages.
I need a map.	Atlases, the Internet, and online databases.	Atlases are stored on special shelves near the Reference Collection 2) Shasta College Library's Online Research Databases: Country Watch

Now, consider the research topic we’ve been developing: How do school violence prevention programs work? Are they effective?

Which kinds of information and resources would be useful? Check all that apply:

___ Background information (encylcopedia)

___ More detailed information (book located through WEBCATalog)

___ Report of a recent event (newspaper database)

___ Report of a local event (Record-Searchlight, print or online)

___ Current discussion (magazine article or online research database)

___ Statistics (book or online research database)

___ Organizations (Encyclopedia of Associations or Internet)

___ Maps (atlases or online)

Select four resources from those checked off in the list above. Research the topic, school violence prevention programs, and record your results. You may have to modify the keywords and the search strategy to suit each database. Be sure to include enough information in the "Good Stuff" column so that you can easily find your way back to the best books, articles, and webpages. The first one, statistical information, is done as a sample for you.
 

Information and Resources	Search terms and strategy	Good Stuff
Statistics (A Matter of Fact)	School and violence and prevention and program	I found six articles. The best one is: Lawton, Millicent . "Violence Prevention Curricula: What Works Best?" Education Week v.14 no.10 (9 Nov 1994), p. 10-11