German 371: Wissen und Wissenschaften

Step 1: Do Some Preliminary Searching

Spend some time browsing encyclopedias or databases to explore ideas for a research paper or to see if the topic you have in mind is something scholars have been discussing.

Step 2: Run your topic by your professor.  Once you get the green light, begin gathering your sources.  Start with encyclopedias to:

• Get an overview of your topic
• Begin to learn who the scholars are that have wriitten about it
• Look at the bibliography at the end of the article to learn about important articles and books
• Pick up on any new vocabulary

Search Catalyst for books and articles

• Remember to use Subject Headings
• If you need to get books from another library, do this early so that you have your materials on time
• Scan bibliographies in the books you find to lead you to other important sources

Use article databases to find more recent scholarship

Step 3: Evaluate your sources

• Are they peer reviewed?
• What is the authority behind the material?
• Is timeliness important?
• Think about the scholarly conversation