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Research

How do I do research?

Research generally falls into one of two categories:
Original Research:
Involves the creation of new information or knowledge through experimentation or controlled investigation.
Secondary Research:
Involves the examination and interpretation of research published by other scholars.
Types of research
Library Research
may be either original or secondary research, or may combine aspects of both. Library research involves investigating a topic by identifying published (and sometimes unpublished) sources of information relevant to a specific topic, collecting those resources, reading them, and interpreting them. The research paper is a report of your discoveries, and the interpretation that you place upon them.
Field Research
falls into the category of original research. Field research involves conducting studies or experiments designed to discover new facts about a specific topic, or to apply a theory to a practical situation. Some examples of original research projects are:
  • A carefully controlled experiment in a laboratory
  • An observational study (on the streets of New Brunswick, or in the jungles of Borneo ... )
  • A public opinion survey
  • An analysis of statistical data
  • An archeological dig
  • A close reading of an ancient or modern text
When the project is completed, the results of the study or experiment are reported in a research paper.

It is currently common practice for all well-conducted projects in original research to include a library research component called a literature review. The literature review examines and summarizes previously published research on the topic of the study or experiment, and supplies a context for the the work.

Where do I go from here?

doing library research This module will provide general guidelines for doing library research in any discipline, including an overview of the research process, developing a research strategy, focusing on a topic, and tips for organizing your work.

Also, please refer to our subject-specific Research Guides, which will lead you to many Internet and library resources.