Prepare
Before you approach a search engine, there are a few steps you should consider.
Project Planning
  • Make sure you understand the project directions and expectations.
  • Ask questions to clarify your understanding if something is not clear.
  • Break your assignment into smaller tasks.
  • Make a plan with deadlines for each part of your project so you can get them done on time.

Topic Selection & Research Questions
  • Pick a topic for your paper or project.
  • Narrow the topic, if needed.
  • Develop a complex main question for your research.
  • Develop some simpler supporting questions that will help you answer your main question.

Presearch / Keywords
  • Ask yourself what you already know about your topic.
  • Write down an initial list of important keywords (e.g. ideas, phrases, people, jargon) related to your topic.
  • Perform a presearch by reading a reference source article about your topic or perform a brief search about your topic.
  • Add any new terms to your keyword list after you finish your presearch.

Organize
  • Choose a strategy for collecting and organizing information you find during your search (e.g. Google Drive, Evernote, NoodleTools, paper, Diigo).
  • Set up folders, labels, tags, Google Chrome Extensions or other aides for helping you stay organized. 
Graphic Organizers
Apps, Add-Ons and Extensions
Helpful Videos