HUSV - Human Services Library Resource Guide

In order to plan an effective research strategy, you will want to:

• understand the assignment and create a timeline
• select and refine your research topic
• create effective search strategies
• evaluate the information sources you identify

The following tutorials will help you learn those skills.

Understand the assignment and create a timeline

Select and refine your research topic

Mind-mapping your topic The mind mapping technique (also known as "concept mapping") will help you generate ideas and visualize various aspects of a research topic. It can also help you narrow or focus your topic.

Create effective search strategies

How do I create a search strategy? Review this tutorial to learn how to combine keywords (search terms) effectively to conduct a database search.

Should I rethink my search? When searching library databases, your first search will probably not be your last. You’ll need to take a look at your results and use them to decide how you can change your search so that you can find the most relevant resources.

Evaluate the information sources

What types of sources do I need? Learn the difference between primary and secondary sources, and between popular and scholarly sources.

Popular vs. scholarly Learn more about how to identify and tell the difference between popular and scholarly articles. 

How do I evaluate online information? Learn strategies for evaluating and verifying unfamiliar online resources.