USMA Library Homepage: Tutorials and Digital Learning Objects: Research Foundations

Research is the process of investigating questions about the world. It is a way of discovering new knowledge and ideas while building on the foundations of the work of other scholars.

Tutorial Menu - scroll down for descriptions

The Language of Research - Approximately 4 minutes
Developing a Research Topic and Questions: Approximately 6 minutes
Synthesis: Approximately 5 minutes
Primary and Secondary Sources: Approximately 5 minutes
Types of Resources: Approximately 3 minutes

The Language of Research - Approximately 4 minutes

Explain why students may be confused about the terminology of academic research
Define 6 research/library terms
Find resources to assist you in finding explanations of other research and library terms

Developing a Research Topic and Questions: Approximately 6 minutes

Turn a topic of interest into a question.
Write a research question that is clear, complex, focused, and researchable.

Synthesis: Approximately 5 minutes

Describe synthesis vs. summary

Primary vs Secondary Sources: Approximately 5 minutes

Explain the difference between primary and secondary sources.

Types of Resources: Approximately 3 minutes

Identify and differentiate between various types of library resources, including books, journals, databases, and multimedia materials.

Graphics Menu

This interactive graphic shows some of the various types of information needs and how to determine what you might need for a paper or an assignment.

This interactive graphic shows one of the ways to go through the research essay process.

This interactive graphic gives advice on how to make the most out of a research appointment with a librarian.