1	Research Strategies Presentation by: Teri B. Weil Reference Librarian Frederick Douglass Library University of Maryland Eastern Shore
2	Beginning Your Research Decide on a topic Locate background information Write a thesis statement Identify key ideas Select the appropriate database(s) Evaluate information retrieved Use information effectively
3	Decide on a Topic It is best to choose a topic that you have an interest in. Ask yourself these questions: What have you been talking about? What have you been reading? What interests you most? To begin with, write your topic in the form of a question. For instance, What effects does technology fluency have on academic success?
4	Background Information It provides you with an overview of the topic It might include technical language unique to the topic It will identify factual information: Names Places Dates There might be a bibliography included, which will lead you to additional information.
5	Where to find background information Subject Dictionaries African American Women: A Biographical Dictionary Subject Encyclopedias Encyclopedia of Social Work Textbooks General Databases Academic Search Premier CQ Researcher
6	Write a Thesis Statement
7	Identify Key Ideas/Concepts Identify key concepts in your thesis statement Identify related terminology
8	Key Concepts Technology Academic Success Students
9	Related Terminology Technology Academic Success Computers Assistive Technology Academic Achievement Academic Attainment
10	Access Databases
11	Evaluation
12	Use Effectively Plagiarism Copyright