What you’ll learn to do: evaluate methods for finding various types of sources using search engines and databases

Have you ever heard a song, meant to look up its name, but forgot the lyrics? You remember wanting to add it to your playlist, but all you recall is a small part of the tune. How would you track it down?

Chances are, you’d investigate to:

• figure out the melody,
• find the title,
• identify the artist,
• discover the album it’s from, and
• locate where to stream or purchase it.

Just like finding a song, research requires investigation. You need to ask the right questions to uncover valuable information. A strong argument depends on thorough research, and taking the time to refine your approach will make the process more efficient and effective. Without a clear strategy, you risk wasting time and ending up with weak support for your ideas. Investing in the right research methods from the start will help you build a stronger, more compelling paper.

So, where do you begin? First, understand your research assignment and goals. Then, start searching for sources. In this section, you’ll learn how to use search engines and library databases to find scholarly articles and gather the evidence you need for a strong, well-supported paper.