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University Library DePaul Library

Environmental Science & Studies Research Guide: Getting Started

Start here to access the most useful information resources relating to environmental science, studies and sustainability

Getting Research Help When You Need It

You're not expected to figure it all out on your own!  Librarians are here to help you...

  • navigate the different disciplines, subject areas, publication types
  • choose the most useful search tools available
  • find the most useful information sources for your project
  • get advice through ASK A LIBRARIAN or MAKE AN APPOINTMENT or CONTACT ME directly

Mastering the Research Process

Research is an iterative and experimental process--each step informs another:

  1.  Clarify your research goals: Check your assignment details, deliverables & deadlines
  2.  Identify available information resources, tools & services: Including librarians!
  3.  Choose a topic: Librarians can help with that too!
  4.  Dig deeper, understand better: Use this guide to explore background sources & books
  5.  Develop a research question: Make it answerable or testable, not too specific, not too broad--and be experimental! (test, modify, repeat)
  6.  Build a "Keywords Worksheet": Group together the various words & phrases that authors & journals use to express each of the separate concepts in your research question or topic
  7.  Choose appropriate databases: Pick from Library Research Guides--like this one!
  8. Develop a search strategy: Use Boolean operators OR / AND and consider placing limits on publication dates, source types, document types
  9.  Find articles & other information types: In addition to articles (e.g. from journals, newspapers or magazines), any given database may also point to technical reports, data, books, book chapters, letters, editorials, images, videos, podcasts, and various types of standards, guidelines, and protocols
  10.  Evaluate your search results: Modify & enhance your search strategy based on the attributes of materials you have already found to be useful

And again... Don't hesitate to ASK A LIBRARIAN or MAKE AN APPOINTMENT or CONTACT ME directly

Using This Guide

 

Find the right tool for the right job:  Wherever you are in the research process, this guide will point you to the most useful tools and resources you need.

Use the menu: Click the option corresponding to the type of information you need, when you need it.

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