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El Paso Community College Libraries

Research Tips

Choose a Topic: Something that interests you.
Limit your topic: Select the idea(s) that seems most interesting and significant to you. Decide on the purpose of your paper: Persuasive? Informational? Explanatory?
Look for a Background and an Overview: Locate general encyclopedias. These will help you focus or get a perspective on basic topics.
Look for Definitions: Find a definition in a specialized dictionary, or handbook.
Breadth: Explore all the issues involved in the topic.
Opposing Viewpoints or Perspective: Consider objectively every side of an issue.
Publication Type and Format: Get information from different types of publications and in different formats: newspapers, magazines, journals, books, maps, charts, videos, audio cassettes, electronic databases.
Depth: Look in all possible sources for your topic.

Ask a librarian for more sources.

Five (5) PLACES TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION

1.Reference Collection			Begin your search here. You can get definitions, facts, statistics, an overview and background of your topic.
2.Catalog			Find which materials are available for check-out at E.P.C.C. Libraries. Ask a Librarian how to locate a book, video, audio cassette.
3.Periodical Literature			Search in the Paper, C.D. ROM and Online Indexes. The Periodicals (magazines, journals, newspapers) will show the most current information available on a topic. Ask a Librarian how to use the Indexes.
4. Internet			You have access to the World Wide Web using Netscape or the Rio Grande FreeNet. This source can easily distract you. Stay focused. Evaluate the information.
5. Librarians!			The Librarians are eager to help you locate the information. ASK FOR ASSISTANCE!

El Paso Community College Libraries
Last Updated: January 12, 1999.
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URL: http://www.epcc.edu/library/Handouts/tips.htm

El Paso Community College