Find Homework (K-12) Resources

Before you commit to a topic, check if there’s enough information to support your paper. Search for sources in the library databases to see what’s available.

If you run into problems:

• Try different keywords or synonyms.
• Reword your research question for clarity.
• Pick a new topic if you can’t find enough sources.

Research is cyclical, so don't be afraid to go back and adjust your topic. Background research can show if your topic is too broad (e.g., "social media") or too narrow (e.g., "environmental cost of TikTok’s fast fashion micro-trends").

• Too many results? Narrow your focus.
• Too few results? Broaden your scope.

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Before you start seriously looking for sources to use in your research, make a plan first. Having a search strategy saves you time and and will help you efficiently find reliable and relevant results. Organize your keywords, use tools like Boolean operators, and adjust your searches for better results. Here are some tips for breaking down your strategy:

1. Write Your Topic as a Question
Example: How do social media trends shape youth culture on a global scale?

2. Identify Main Ideas (Keywords)
Example: social media, youth culture, global

3. Find Synonyms for Each Keyword
Use a thesaurus or encyclopedia.
Example: global → international, globalization

4. Use Boolean Operators
AND narrows your search 
OR broadens your search

5. Add Wildcards for Word Variations
Example: global* OR teen*

6. Use Quotation Marks for Phrases
Example: "social media" or "social participation"

7. Evaluate and Adjust

Too many results? Add another concept with AND, use specific terms, or phrases.
Too few results? Add synonyms, use broader terms, or wildcards.

When you're ready to find sources, start with these trusted places:

• Library Databases: Use library databases to find scholarly articles and journals. These are reliable and often peer-reviewed.

• Google Scholar: A free tool to find academic articles and research papers. Search through our library's Google Scholar portal to get access to more sources.

• Library Catalog: Search for books in the library catalog to find both physical and digital resources that support your research.

• Credible Websites: Stick to websites ending in .edu, .gov, or from well-known organizations. Avoid personal blogs or unverified sources. 

As you gather sources, be sure to evaluate them for reliability and relevance. For tips on how to do this, check our library guide: Evaluating Sources

If you're considering using a source, download its full text or write down the citation right away. This will help you keep track of potential sources and save time from finding it again later.

As you are going through different sources, take notes! Consider keeping a research journal to track which source provides which facts and ideas. This will help streamline your writing process and keep your research organized.

Why Keep a Research Journal?

• Save Time: Quickly see where you’ve searched, which keywords worked, and what sources you found.
• Reduce Stress: Stay organized by keeping track of sources and their citation details.
• Improve Your Writing: Recording ideas helps you develop new perspectives for your paper.
• Avoid Plagiarism: Keep track of key quotes, ideas, and source details to ensure proper citations.

How to Keep Your Research Journal

• Word document
• Paper notebook

What to Include:

• Where you searched
  • List the databases, websites, or search engines you used.
• Keywords
  • Record the keywords you tried and note which were most effective.
• Sources
  • Write down the title, author, date and location or each source you located.
  • Don't forget to download your sources if you want to use them!
• How will you use each source?
  • Jot down useful ideas or quotes and how they fit into your paper.

You can put these notes into an outline that works best for you to organize your thoughts and make sure you are making the strongest and most logical arguments. 

You have your sources, you've done your research. Now, you can start putting it all together into your research paper. Use the outline you made when taking notes to make sure you hit all of your key points.

Remember you can go back to other steps as you're writing. If you need another source, go ahead and look for one. If you think you need to rearrange your notes or your outline, go for it!

Proofreading might seem like a small step, but it’s one of the most powerful ways to improve your work! This is how you spot mistakes, improve your explanations, and make sure your writing flows like a good story.

Try these proofreading strategies:

• First, take a break before proofreading so you can come back with fresh eyes.
• Print your paper and read it. You’ll be surprised how often errors jump out when you read a hard copy.
• Read it aloud to hear awkward phrasing or mistakes you might miss when reading silently.
• Ask someone else to read your work. They may spot mistakes you missed or offer helpful feedback.
• Don’t fully rely on tools like Grammarly or spellcheck. These can miss context-based errors and won’t catch everything.

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