A Researcher's Check List

Researching is a multi-stage process. Use this checklist to help you complete your research. Place a check mark next to the task completed. If most of your answers are YES, you are on the right track! If you have questions,

Ask a librarian!

Current Issues- Hot Topics

1. Do you have a topic? YES NO
(If yes,go directly to step #3)

• Did you browse the current newspapers and magazines? YES NO
• Did you go online to Starting Points - Choosing your Topic? YES NO
• Did you check the CQ Researcher? YES NO
• Did you check the Opposing Viewpoints? YES NO
• Did you go online to Current Issues-Hot Topics? YES NO
• Did you try the following Online Databases? YES NO
  • Opposing Viewpoints
  • CQ Researcher
  • SIRS Researcher (Click on "Leading Issues" or "Database Features", then click on "Suggested Research Topics")
  • NewsBank NewsFile

2. If you still do not have a topic, request a consultation with a librarian, now!

3. Did you consult specialized or general encyclopedias for a background and overview on your topic? YES NO

Reference souces will help you define, narrow a topic and get focused.

Titles of encyclopedia(s) consulted:

Additional terminology (or related topics) you could use in your research:

4. Looking for books? Sometimes you will have to think of a broad topic, then consult the index or table of contents of the book to see if it has what you are looking for. Remember the title of a book is not always indicative of the contents of the book!

Terminology to use in the catalog:

Did you find books? YES NO

Write down two or three titles which you can use: (Include the call number and the location.)

5. Looking for periodicals? Search General Interest Databases, SIRS Researcher, Opposing Viewpoints, CQ Researcher, newspaper databases and any other which you think might be helpful. Remember that in some databases you have to specify that you want full text articles.

Did you find articles? YES NO

How many articles did you find?

Write down the citation for your articles. The information you need to cite is:

• Author
• Title of Article in quotation marks
• Title of Source, underlined (magazine, journal, newspaper)
• Date (If a journal, record first the volume and issue, then the date in parenthesis)
• Pagination of original (if available)
• Name of Database, underlined
• Name of Service,Vendor or Publisher and Name of Distributor
• Name and location of Library
• Date of Access
• URL

Check out the handout How to Cite from the Online Databases.

6. Looking for statistics? Go to the Reference Area and try the some of the following resources:

• CQ's State Fact Finder
• A Matter of Fact
• Statistical Abstract of the United States
• Use our link to statistical resources on "Current Issues/ Hot Topics"

Did you get statistics? YES NO

Statistics are very important, if you do not have statistics, STOP by the Reference Desk and ask a librarian!

Statistical Resources used:

7. Did you visit the Web? YES NO

Go to V.V 's Current Issues-Hot Topics

Remember: you have to evaluate the resources on the Web!

8. Do you need to relate your topic to El Paso? If so, did you consult the El Paso Times Paper Index, El Paso Times Online and the Valle Verde Library Vertical File?

YES NO

9.Do you feel satisfied with the information you have gathered? YES NO

If not, make a consultation with a librarian, now!

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Last Updated: July 200i7

Created and maintained by Sahyly Martinez

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URL: http:/www.epcc.edu/vvlib/researcherscheck.htm