Introduction to
Research
“Basic research is what I am doing when I
don’t know what I am doing?”
– Werner von Braun
father of the United States space program
What is Research?
Research is the systematic study of materials
and sources in order to establish facts and
reach new conclusions.
“We undertake research when we wish to
explore an idea, probe an issue, solve a
problem, or make an argument that compels us
to turn to outside help.”
– MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
5th Edition by Joseph Gibaldi
Types of Research
There are two types of research:
• Primary Research
generating original information
• Secondary Research
gathering information that has
already been generated
Primary Research
• Is original research
• Generates up-to-date information
• Includes methods such as observation,
experiments, surveys, and interviews
• Analyzes, synthesizes, and evaluates all
information and data
Primary Research
Advantages:
• Is directly applicable to the need
• Can result in extremely detailed, accurate,
and relevant information or data
• Can result in new information that cannot
be found in secondary sources
• Results in expert knowledge
Primary Research
Disadvantages:
• Is time consuming
• Requires extensive planning
• Can be expensive
• May depend on the participation of
unreliable sources for results
Secondary Research
• Requires searching information that other
researchers have already collected, analyzed,
and reported
• Includes published works: books, journals,
magazines, newspapers
• Includes unpublished works: business reports,
operating manuals, masters theses, doctoral
dissertations, web pages
• Is the most commonly conducted type of
research
Secondary Research
Advantages:
• Requires less time and little to no cost in
comparison to primary research
• Helps the researcher to either focus or expand
his/her scope
• Elicits a sense of credibility and authority in
that it shows others that the researcher has
done his/her homework
Secondary Research
Disadvantages:
• The researcher may have to sift through a
tremendous amount of information.
• Not all information sources are valid (i.e.,
internet web pages).
Secondary Research Sources
Research Libraries
• Support faculty and students in their
research efforts in college/university
libraries
• Have extensive collections of books and
periodicals
• Contain theses, dissertations, and other
useful unpublished works
Secondary Research Sources
Books
• One of the most reliable published sources.
• Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) has
replaced the card catalog in most libraries.
• Browsing library shelves may result in new
sources.
• Interlibrary loans result in more materials.
Secondary Research Sources
Magazines
• Magazine Databases include ProQuest,
Electric Library, and others.
• Excellent related graphics may be
discovered.
Secondary Research Sources
Reference Works
• Indexes – guides to newspapers,
magazines, and journals
• Bibliographies – related publications
• Collections of Abstracts – journal articles
• Guides to Research – American Library
Association’s Guide to Reference Books
Secondary Research Sources
Reference Works
• Dictionaries – The Oxford English
Dictionary, Webster’s Dictionary
• Encyclopedias
• Biographical sources – Who’s Who
• Yearbooks – Britannica Book of the Year
Secondary Research Sources
Reference Works
• Atlases – map collections
• Gazetteers – geographic information
• Statistical data sources – Statistical
Abstract of the United States
• Almanacs – good for statistics
• Books of quotations
Secondary Research Sources
Newspapers
• ProQuest
• Electric Library
• Microfiche
Secondary Research Sources
Multimedia
• Films
• Videos/DVDs
• Audiotapes
Secondary Research Sources
Internet Web Pages
• Search Engines: Google, Yahoo
• Associations, Organizations, Businesses
• Government Agencies
• Public Institutions: Museums, Libraries
• Note: Anyone can invent information and
put it on the internet.
Research Techniques
1. Define and list your topic, project, or problem.
2. Identify key words of the topic.
3. Identify all resources with which you are
familiar that may provide information.
4. Use the Internet to conduct quick keyword
searches and record the URL addresses.
Research Techniques
5. Use what you’ve learned thus far to check
libraries for books, periodicals, journals, and
other reference works.
6. Contact schools, companies, and
organizations in your local area to identify
persons who are knowledgeable in your
research topic.
7. Assemble your list of resources, and begin
systematically exploring them.
Evaluating Information
The quality of any source should be
evaluated before using and citing its
information.
It is up to the researcher to differentiate
between fact, opinion, and propaganda.
Legitimately published sources contain the
most reputable information.