UCB Libraries

Once you have determined a topic, issue or subject of interest, you will need to focus the topic into a researchable question. Some tips for doing so are:

• Brainstorm about your topic. Identify related issues, people, events etc.
• List what you already know about your topic, and what you need to know or want to know. How does your teaching experience inform your topic?
• Determine what perspective will you take on your topic.
• Deternine the geographic region on which you will focus.
• Choose a specific time period.

Often doing some preliminary reading or background research is extremely helpful in developing a focus. Move to the next step 'Getting Background Info' for some tips.

 

You will find numerous reference sources in the UCB Libraries' collection, both online and in print.

SEARCH your topic in Reference Universe, enter your topic in the search box below:

Reference Universe: This is a searchable database that indexes information from specialized subject encyclopedias. It does not include the full text of reference materials but will point you to reference sources that cover your topic. It searches both the titles of reference articles with extensive bibliographies as well as the encyclopedia / dictionary indexes, providing a thorough level of access to materials and potential sources. CU

 

Developing a comprehensive understanding of your topic is essential when embarking on research. One way to gain background information is to utilize reference sources. This will help you to focus and concentrate your interest in a researchable portion of your topic. For help developing background information:

Education Research Guide- Encyclopedias, Handbooks, and More

 

Reference Sources

 

The SAGE handbook of qualitative research

Norlin Library--Stacks

H62 .H2455 2005

 

Handbook of Research on Multicultural Education, 2004
REF DEPT STACKS--Library Use Only-- LC1099.3 .H35 2004

 

The handbook of ethical research with ethnocultural populations and communities / edited by Joseph E. Trimble, Celia B. Fisher

NORLIN STACKS--GN495.4 .T75 2006

Online Sources

 

Blackwell encyclopedia of sociology online

The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology is the reference for students, researchers, librarians, and academics in the field. This ground-breaking project brings together specially commissioned entries written and edited by an international team of the world's best scholars and teachers. An essential reference for expert and newcomer alike, with entries ranging from short definitions of key terms to extended explorations of major topics .

 

Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods
These volumes comprise an encyclopedia of social science research methods, the first of its kind. Uniqueness explains, at least partly, why we undertook the project. It has never been done before. We also believe that such an encyclopedia is needed. What is an encyclopedia? In ancient Greek, the word signifies ...

 

More Online Reference Sources

Before you start to research a topic, you need to develop keywords that represent your research interest, question, or inquiry.

 

Keywords are significant words (usually nouns or noun phrases) which can be used as search terms in online catalogs or databases. Keywords will determine the quantity and relevance of results you retrieve when searching.

 

First you will identify and articulate your topic in your own words:

Example: I am interested in investigating the effectiveness of literacy assessments used with second language learners.

 

Next you will designate the main concepts or ideas that describe the topic:

Concept 1: second language learners

Concept 2: literacy

Concept 3: assessments

 

Then develop other terms and vocabulary that represent the topic. Some terms may be broader, narrower, or synonyms. Adding terms that represent geographical distincitions, time periods, or significant figures about your topic may also be useful.

 

Concept 1: second language acquisition   ESL   language learners   foreign language instruction   bilingual   L1/L2   ELLs

Concept 2: literate   reading   comprehension   Literacy Education   Cultural literacy

Concept 3: test (s)   assess   assessment*   proficiency   standardized

 

 

Combining Keywords

Operators:

AND: second language learners AND literacy (must find both terms)
OR: testing OR assessment (must find one of the terms)
NOT: testing NOT standardized (must find first term NOT second term)

 

Punctuation:

Phrases: “second language learners” (must find that phrase in that order)
Synonyms: (“second language learner” OR ELLs) AND literacy
Wildcards: assess* will find assessment, assessments, assessing, etc.

 

You may use the UCB Search Strategy/ Keyword Worksheet to develop your own topic.

For deatails on combining keywords for the best results view the

How Do I Use Keywords

 

 

Chinook is the catalog for materials owned by the CU Libraries. You can do a title search for a specific book, or a keyword search if you are looking for books on a particular topic. You can also use MyChinook to manage your library account (including renewals, holds, recalls, saved searches, etc.)

 

Tutorial: Chinook Keyword Search

 

Relevant Subject Headings

Social sciences -- Research

 

Education -- Research -- Methodology

 

Qualitative research

 

For Tips on developing keywords for your topic go to:

 

How do I Choose Keywords for my search

 

 

APA Style (PDF document)

 

 

You may also find print guides in the library:

 

APA

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
6th edition, Washington, DC:

American Psychological Association, 2010.

Norlin Library--Reference Collection--Ready Reference

BF76.7 .P83 2010

 

APA style online

REFWorks
A personal online database and bibliography creator that allows users to create a personal database online, import references automatically from multiple databases, organize references, and quickly format bibliographies and manuscripts. You will need to create a login and password. Provided by the University of Colorado Boulder Libraries.

 

How do I use RefWorks?

 

Use RefWorks, EndNote, Zotero, or some other citation management tool. You will be able to keep track of citations, organize your literature reviews, insert citations easily into your paper, as well as create bibliographies. It will save you a huge amount of time in the long run.

 

Receive personalized resource alerts from Chinook

You can customize Chinook, the CU library catalog, so that you automatically receive email alerts of new resources added to the library collection.

 

Current awareness services

Databases such as CSA ERIC allow you to set up automatic searches and Table of Contents alerts for journals. You will need to create an account in CSA ERIC which will allow you to save searches, get e-mail alerts, and recieve journal alerts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chinook Resources

Search for information related to proposal writing and education/social sciences research in Chinook with the following subject headings:

 

Proposal writing in research

Proposal writing in the social sciences

Social sciences -- Research -- Methodology

Education -- Research Methodology

 

More Resources

University of Colorado PWR

Writing Center

The Writing Center offers writers from across disciplines and skill levels the opportunity to work one-on-one with consultants trained in writing pedagogy. Writing Center sessions strive to address writers' stated needs while attending to relevant disciplinary, rhetorical, grammatical, and stylistic concerns. 
We're in the Norlin Commons (Norlin E111, near the east entrance of Norlin Library ). Services are FREE to all CU students, faculty, staff and alumni.

OWL of Purdue University
Online Writing Center of Purdue University is an excellent site full of writing and research tips.