Gathering Sources
It is important to remember that there are many layers to a topic when starting your research, just like there are many layers to human beings. Thinking about questions such as who, what, where, when, why, and how, will help you explore your topic in depth. Remember to incorporate a diversity of sources to ensure representation of ideas and concepts, especially if the identity you're exploring isn't your own.
Gathering Sources
As you prepare to gather sources, ask yourself:
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What information do I need in order to complete my assignment?
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Who might write or create that sort of information?
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Where might I locate this information?
Starting Points
Good news: You are already an experienced researcher! We find information everyday by using our devices to search Google (or other search engines), crowd source our friends, or catch up on news on social media. It's easy to make the the jump to use these and other tools to search for information for a research assignment. Understanding where to start, what the tool is searching, and what it will find is an important skill you'll hone for your assignment.
For example, you might already know Google Scholar has one search box and searches across many scholarly disciplines and resources, but only skims the top of the web. Did you also know the library has over 930 databases, each one unique to finding specific types of information on specific subjects? Exploring how each tool works and what it searches will help you target the types of information you're seeking.
Find out more about what you're searching (and what you're missing!) by clicking this picture:
Google vs. The Deep Web
Learn more at http://money.cnn.com/infographic/technology/what-is-the-deep-web/
