My Research Plan – September 21, 2011

POL 344 001 library session

Now that you have selected your election and at least a general focus area for your thesis, it’s time to think about how you will go about finding appropriate sources. The questions on this worksheet are intended to help you think through the details of your research approach at this time. We might do a similar exercise later in the semester, as your research plans will evolve as you delve further into the topic.

Answer the following questions based on your topic – this is an opportunity to brainstorm about your approach to your topic over the next three months. After jotting brief answers to all questions, spend the rest of this library time actually beginning to search (Chris will be around to observe and assist) and do make sure to use this page to record anything that might alter your initial answers (especially good search terms, which are more likely to appear AFTER you start searching).

1. Where will you search for sources pertaining to your topic? It is usually helpful to look over possible databases before diving into one or more, so peruse the list on the Library webpage (and/or the POL-344 library resource page).

2. What search terms will you use to search for your topic? How will you find additional or alternative search terms, if necessary?

3. How will you know when you have found enough sources?

4. How will you determine if a source is useful when you first encounter it?

5. How will you keep track of your sources?

6. How will you handle possible “information overload”?

7. Now outline three specific actions you will take related to your thesis research in the next 10 days (through the end of September):

1.

2.

3.