LibGuides: Professor Lichtman, Homestead Campus: Conducting Research

Conducting Research

Research Essays: Overview
The further you go in college, the more research you will do, and the more research essays you will write. Being able to collect and synthesize research into our own writing are among the most important skills we learn in college. Finding and using research sources are skills that you will use throughout your professional and personal lives. For this reason, it’s important that you learn early in college to successfully compose an academic research essay.

Using the MDC Databases

Each MDC student will learn how to formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information (Learning Outcome #4).

VIDEO: Accessing Academic Databases

Starting Your Research Process

Meeting with a Research Librarian

Research Appointments
Librarians are available to meet with you online or in-person to search the MDC library databases with you. Together you will find the best database to complete your assignments, find articles/sources, and cite those sources (APA/MLA).

Research Strategies, Identifying Keywords

Selecting Keywords

Once you’ve selected some good resources for your topic, and possibly talked with a librarian, it is time to move on to identify words you will use to search for information on your topic in various databases.

Determine Search Concepts and Keywords

Search Strategies

Citing Sources

APA (American Psychological Association) style is a set of guidelines aimed to credit sources appropriately and make papers organized and consistent.

APA Style LibGuide

VIDEO: Quick Tips for APA

Module 10: Quick Guide to APA by Lizeth Garcia

Meeting with a Writing Tutor

Writing Tutoring Appointments
Writing tutors are available for online or in-person meetings to assist with grammar, spelling, and any stage of the writing process.

Evaluating Information

Assessing Your Research Process and Findings
The first section of this chapter will talk about some of the ideas and concepts behind evaluating sources, while the second section will give you the opportunity to put your evaluation skills into practice.

The Ethics of Information

Avoiding Plagiarism
Plagiarism is when you use words, thoughts, or ideas that belong to someone else without giving them credit.