Academic research is an important part of your journey at Harrisburg University. Research involves using a variety of search techniques and quality materials to find relevant and reliable information. The Harrisburg University Library supplies you with a variety of databases you can use to find these resources. These databases are not freely available and cannot be accessed by anyone without University log-on credentials.
The search process takes time and can be challenging if you are new to it. The Harrisburg University Library staff can teach you how to use the library's resources and services..
There is no "correct" way to research, and your research methods will change from project to project. However, there are some general steps you can take to get started with any project.
To prepare for the research process, make note of the following:
- Consider the question or questions you want to answer. Although you do not need a fully formed thesis at the outset of your research, you should make a list of questions you want to answer that include terms specific to your topic area. For example, a research project might explore whether cooperative games affect cognitive development in young children.
- Make a list of relevant terms or keywords specific to your topic; avoid general vocabulary. For example, terms like "business structure" and "lean startup" may produce more specific research material in library databases than simply using "business" and "startup."
- Make a list of any authors you already know that have written on the topic through class readings or references in your textbooks. You can use this list to see what else they have published on your topic of interest by search library databases.
- Scan the bibliographies or works cited section of any articles or books you have read for class. If any of the works listed in the bibliographies seem relevant to your topic, you can acquire them using library databases.
After this initial preparation, proceed to the other sections of this guide