How to Develop Research Questions/Topics
Before you begin the search,
Think about:
1) What does the assignment ask you to do? And where does your research fit into the topic?
2) What kinds of scholarship is available on the topic you are researching?
--- To understand the types of sources: PRIMARY SOURCES vs SECONDARY SOURCES
3) Are there scholars who disagree about the topic or have different positions about the topic?
THE BEAM MODEL
Example of BEAM
BEAM Method (in action) -Ohio Wesleyan University
Annotated Bibliography
- Annotated bibliography tip sheetThis sheet helps you to understand what an annotated bibliography is, explains your job as a researcher as you compile it, and gives some helpful questions to consider along the way.
- Annotated bibliography worksheet (Fillable PDF)This worksheet is designed to help you ask and answer questions as you're reading each document that you're considering. It also gives you some practice distilling that information down into a brief summary.
Purdue Resources
Librarian
Alonso Avila
Contact:
106 Mudd Center
(Mary Church Terrell Main Library)
alonso.avila@oberlin.edu
440-775-8285
(Mary Church Terrell Main Library)
alonso.avila@oberlin.edu
440-775-8285
Subjects: Africana Studies, Comparative American Studies
Research Help
Chat with us during online help hours
Email us at reference@oberlin.edu
Schedule a research appointment
Watch "How do I?" video tutorials