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Library Research Process
What is Research?
- Research is the investigation of a topic
- Research is looking for information that informs your topic
- Research is finding reliable sources
- Research is not seeking information to prove what you already think, such as your opinion, point or bias
Why do you need sources?
- Research is about gathering facts from information sources
- Research is the only way to explore and learn more about your topic
- Reliable sources are the only way that you can speak truthfully about your topic
Research is a process
It requires:
- knowing the assignment requirements
- time to fully explore a topic
- discovery to learn more about your topic, and not seeking to prove your point or opinion
- understanding the wide variety of information sources available
- knowing what is credible information and what is not
- academic honesty, including giving proper credit to the authors of your sources of information
