FYSP 109: Odysseys and Identities: Home

Read the following articles, paying particular attention to:

1. intended audience
2. the thesis or argument that the author is making
3. the kind of evidence they are using to support that argument
4. how the evidence is documented (e.g. quotations, paraphrasing, citations, ect.) 

Here is a good, basic formula for getting started with your research:

• Begin by narrowing down your topic and developing an initial research question.
• Use the keyword brainstorming worksheet to help you tweak your research question, identify keywords and related terms, and keep track of what you find.  
• Search in a library catalog (Summon, OBIS, OhioLINK and/or WorldCat) to find books and reference sources.  These sources will:
  • provide BACKGROUND and CONTEXT
  • REVIEW and SUMMARIZE earlier work
  • help you FOCUS your topic and
  • provide CITATIONS to important books, journal articles, conference papers, interviews, etc.
• Next, search research databases to find articles. The library has hundreds of databases; those listed on this guide are good places to begin.
• You may also wish to use Google Scholar to search the Internet.  This is a great tool for doing cited reference searches.

There are two major call number systems used in the libraries: the Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress classification schemes. The first line of a call number, as it appears on a physical item, is a broad subject classification. The subsequent lines are combinations of letters and numbers that organize items into narrower, related categories.

See How to Read Call Numbers from the University of Berkeley Library for more details about LC call numbers.
 

• Chat with us during online help hours

• Email us: reference@oberlin.edu

• Sign up for a research appointment

• Watch a "How do I" video tutorial