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This course guide introduces students to the library research process for finding sources and other material required to write an undergraduate research essay.
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
Identify key concepts/ideas/themes by consulting online encyclopedias or dictionaries
Key Databases:
To search for articles within specific journals in Omni, click on Journal Searching for instructions.
Basic Searching Techniques for Omni and most databases
1. Identify the main concepts of your research topic and brainstorm possible keywords.
2. Use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to combine keywords and enhance your search. Boolean operators are command words and must be capitalized when searching Omni. Begin searching for material with Omni, the library's main search box, to find journal articles or books and other sources on your topic. Remember to filter your search by content type for each new search.
- Use AND to combine topics - Inquisition AND "oil extraction" AND technology
- Use OR to between related words or synonyms - (oil OR energy)
- Use NOT to exclude terms; oil NOT soybean
- Use quotation marks to search for phrases: "offshore oil extraction"
- Use the asterisk* for word endings to broaden your search: manag* will find management, managerial, manager, manageable
- Use the question mark ? for single character wildcard - wom?n - for woman, women
Writing Guides
- A short guide to writing about history (print only)
- Essaying the past; how to read, write and think about history
- Going to the sources: a guide to historical research and writing
Citation Guides
Citation Management Tools
- See the Citation Management web page
