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This Course Guide provides you with guidance that will help you get started with your final research paper.
Pick a Research topic
- Read your syllabus and course assignment instructions carefully
- Pick a topic that interests you and meets the criteria of the assignment
- Need extra help? Click on Choosing an essay topic
Do an initial search on Wikipedia for background knowledge
- Wikipedia will also help you to broaden your search terms
- Watch the video, Using Wikepedia Wisely
Key References sources
Search Omni, the library's main search box to find books or peer-reviewed journal articles on any topic. Remember to refine your search by selecting the following options: Peer-Reviewed Journals, Articles and Subject (optional) to obtain high quality, academic literature. Use the Omni Search Tips
Search subject-specific databases to find journal articles. They offer many advanced search features and offer a more focused search.
Key databases:
Recommended journals:
Searching Techniques using Omni and Boolean Operators
First, identify the main ideas of your research topic and brainstorm possible keywords. Write them down.
- Use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to combine concepts and focus your search (must use CAPS)
- By using AND, you are narrowing your search, and by using OR to connect synonyms, you are expanding your search.
- Use NOT to exclude words
Here are a few search string examples for Omni searches:
- (urban OR cities OR towns) AND planning
- gentrification AND displacement
- "urban policy"
- Mexico NOT New
Use brackets to group synonyms together
Use quotation marks to enclose phrases and keep words together, example: "urban policy"
Use the asterisk tt the end of a root word to broaden your search. Example: enviro* will find environment, environmental, enviromentalism, etc.
- Begin searching for material with Omni. Remember to type filter your search by content type for each new search in order to find a variety of material.
- Use the filters to find: peer-reviewed journal articles, books, newspaper articles, or grey literature such as reports.
- If you need more help use the Omni Search Tips guide
Geographers most often use APA citation style:
- APA Citation Style web guide for basic instructions
- OWL Purdue Online Writing lab for APA
Writing Guides:
