In this Chapter Brundage explains how to find appropriate and useful sources while writing a research paper.Vital library services such as reference materials, periodicals, and the interlibrary loan system are often ignored and not used by students. They actually contain great variety of sources and are proved to be very useful while writing a research paper. The Online library catalog often called OPAC makes it possible to conduct a complete search from a single location. On top of being able to list the books and periodicals in your library, OPAC, also has electronic resources available that any student can get a hold of. Brundage explains that while starting a research it is important to know the object of the search and how to narrow down your topic. If your topic is too broad you're going to find a lot of sources and you won't be able to know what ones to choose from. You could be finding up to hundreds of pages on the French Revolution but if you chose to narrow your topic down to the diamond necklace affair you will find less sources and it will be easier for you to do your research and find stable and firm arguments.
While looking up for a book through OPAC it is important to look at the headings that appear through the research, the list of subject headings could have other works that could be of interest to you and in which the book you are looking for also could be located in. Another important habit to take while doing your research is to develop complete bibliographic entries for all the titles that you think will contribute to your paper or that might be of use in your research. That way you won't lose any of them or any time looking for them again and will have them saved for when you need to use them later on.
How would you organize your research if you were to use the internet? What websites would you use and what ones wouldn't you use?
Is it better to use primary or secondary sources throughout a research?
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