Watch this short video by Leslie Collins, MJC Speech Instructor. Ms. Collins briefly tells you what level of work your college professors expect of you. Check it out!

Manage your time and plan ahead. Do not wait until the last minute. Research and writing take time.

Select at least two topics or themes. Sometimes you may find more information on a second topic or theme. Think of it as a back-up plan.

Once you have selected your topic, brainstorm and think of key terms that would help you narrow down your research.  Learn how to use Truncation and Boolean Operators.

Use the library's resources. Use the catalog to find print sources, ebooks (electronic books), or audiovisual materials. Use the library databases to find credible sources to support your research.

When doing research, you may find online information using the online library databases provided by your school or websites from the Internet. It is always a good practice to use the information found on the library databases because you will find credible sources that are written by experts on the field or subject.  

When using websites from the Internet, you probably want to use them as your last resource and ask your professor if it is okay to use them. Since anybody can publish on the Internet, make sure you evaluate the information on the websites for accuracy and reliability. Read the information provided by Virginia Tech's University Libraries on evaluating Internet sources.

Check out the B. Thomas Golisano Library to learn more about the differences between online databases and websites. 

Ask a librarian to show you how to use the library's resources such as the catalog, databases, reference materials, etc. Librarians can also help you develop strategies that would help you with your research process.

When finding a source, get all of the necessary information from the source. You will need this information for your citations page. Check the Citations tab for more information.

Use other services on campus. The Writing Cafe is a great place to get help with your writing process. The tutors in the Tutoring Center can guide you in understanding your assignment, organizing your work as well as giving you feedback on your draft. 

Truncation is one of the most common search strategies used in research. Clearfield Campus Library explains the use of Truncation. Check it out!

Want to learn more about Keywords and Subject Headings? Check out this YouTube video from Wellington Medical & Health Sciences Library.

It is important to understand the difference between jounal articles and magazine articles. Beth Rohloff from Tisch Library explains the difference between them. Review the chart she created.