Preliminary Research
Librarians: Elizabeth Torres & Laila Brown
reference@hpu.edu
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Preliminary Research
- Create a Concept Map
- Find Background Information
- Generate Potential Keywords
- Helps you to narrow your topic by finding out how much information is out there and, therefore, what is possible within the page-limits you have been assigned.
- It helps you get an idea of which specific aspects of your topic you will want to do more detailed reading about.
Preliminary Research
- Helps you to narrow your topic by finding out how much information is out there and, therefore, what is possible within the page-limits you have been assigned.
- It helps you get an idea of which specific aspects of your topic you will want to do more detailed reading about.
Preliminary Research
Preliminary Research
Do you have topic ideas?
Do it BEFORE you finalize your topic and BEFORE you create a final research question. Collect sources that you can read and use for guidance along the way.
Concept Mapping
A concept map or "mindmap" is a simple way to visually display ideas and relationships among concepts. Creating one can help you organize your ideas and define your topic.
Concept Mapping
Begin with a large sheet of paper and some colored markers.
or
Use one of the online tools for concept mapping:
- https://www.mindmup.com/#storage
- https://bubbl.us/
- https://creately.com/
Concept Mapping
Write your main topic idea in the middle of the page
Concept Mapping
Write down everything that comes to mind when you ask the question...WHAT
What do you know thus far about the topic? Define the topic.
What is the importance of the topic? Sources of inspiration the topic draws upon ? Words or phrases that describe the topic?
Concept Mapping
Write down everything that comes to mind when you ask the question...WHEN
When did it begin? When did different aspects emerge? When did its influence spread? When did main events occur?
Concept Mapping
Write down everything that comes to mind when you ask the question...WHERE
Where did it originate? Where are the major developments of this topic occuring? Where do you want to focus (local, country, region)?
Concept Mapping
Write down everything that comes to mind when you ask the question...WHO
Who was involved? Whom did it influence? Who are the major players in the topic? Who is affected by this?
Background Information
Finding background information will help you have a better undertanding of the topic and give you ideas on aspects to focus on and terminology to use.
Concept Mapping
With new discovered knowledge about your topic.
Add more information to your concenpt map. Use color to identify themes and key terms. Ask how and why various elements of the concept map relate to each other.
You Survive the Session
If you need any help with your preliminary research Ask a Librarian
- Email: reference@hpu.edu
- Visit us at the Reference Desk
- Or send us a Chat (24/7)
Preliminary Research
By Elizabeth Torres
