IST 173 - Biltmore & Beyond

10/27/98

 

LIBRARY RESEARCH STRATEGY

 

KEY QUESTIONS

 

1.   What is the basic information I need? What is my topic?

 

2.   Under what broad subjects do my information needs fall?

 

3.   What do I already know about the subject?

 

4.   Do I hold preconceived ideas about the subject?

 

5.   Am I looking for general or for specific information on the subject?

 

6.   How much information do I need?

 

7.   What subject headings are most relevant to my subject? (Library of Congress Subject Headings)

 

8.   Are there books available on my subject? (Look in the on-line catalog)

 

9.   Are there good reference sources on my subject topic? A bibliography?

 

10. What indexes will I need to consult, especially for scholarly journals on the subject?

 

11. Do I need to use Interlibrary Loan services. Do I have enough time?

 

12. Have I asked a Librarian for assistance?

 

 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

 

13. Does the information fit the criteria for the assignment? For example, does the assignment require that                          

      I consult primary sources?

 

14. What is the chief source of my information? Is it sound?

 

15. Is the source of my information a primary or a secondary source of information? Scholarly or

      popular? Governmental or private? Does it matter?

 

16. Does the source suggest political or social biases?

 

17. What are the author’s credentials? Who does the author work for?

 

18. What sources did the author use to compile his information?

 

19. Is the point of view subjective or objective?

 

20. Does this work refute or support my original ideas on the subject?