I've Got a Topic
Shouldn't I Just Get Started?

Don't Tie Your Hands Before You Start

Remember: Work you do now pays off later on in the process.

Before you lock yourself into a topic with your instructor, do some quick and dirty research and make sure that you can find sources on the subject(s) you have in mind. Don't just check your first choice for a topic either. Your instructor may decide your original topic is unsuitable. So be ready with a backup just in case.

Check with the library

Talk to a reference librarian about what sources are in the collection or readily available through interlibrary loan. If you need to get materials from other libraries, find out how long this will take.
Card Catalog
  • Check in the library's catalog—DACC's catalog is accessible over the internet.
  • Don't spend a lot of time recording information, because you don't know that you will be developing this project. Instead...
  • Make a list of the keywords you use in your Research Journal so you know what works and what doesn't.
  • Check the online catalogs of other nearby libraries (for example: LINC—the catalog of many of public libraries in east central Illinois, including Danville). Links to those libraries most readily available to DACC students can be found on the library's web site.
  • Check with a reference librarian in person, by phone at 217/443-8739 or electronically for ideas and suggestions. Librarians can also advice you about the possibility of interlibrary loaning materials from other library collections.

Look through the electronic resources that DACC makes accessible to online students.

  • Do some quick searches to see if you can turn up information on your topic. Don't spend a lot of time recording information because you don't know yet that you'll be doing this topic. Instead...
  • Make a list of the keywords in your Research Journal you use so you know what works and what doesn't.
  • See Electronic Resources Guide for suggestions about what sources look most promising and try using them.
  • If you don't find anything, consult with a librarian in person, by phone at 217/443-8739 or electronically.
Computer to Search for Electronic Resources

Surf the internet and find out what kinds of information is available on the web.

internet Access to Resources Worldwide
  • Do some quick searches to see what you can turn up. Use a good general search engine such as Google.
  • Record promising web sites in your Research Journal. They can be difficult to find again.
  • Other than web addresses, just record the keywords you used and their effectiveness.
  • Look for specialty sources: transcripts of original documents, such as letters and diaries; academic research; news; and government documents and statistics.
  • See Searching the Internet for information on effective web searching

If you have trouble finding information, often a librarian can help you modify your search enough to help you find materials.

Finding Sources Once You've Chosen Your Topic

Now your preparation begins to pay off!

Review your Research Journal. You are ready to begin researching in earnest and your careful notes about keywords and web addresses are the place to start.

And REMEMBER, if you have trouble with this, or any other stage in the research process, you can ask for Help! Ask your teacher! Ask Librarians! If you need to, just hit the PANIC button!

Return to the Library Home Page

Return to the Research Guide Table of Contents

Go to the DACC Home Page

For information about this, or any other Library Web Page, contact the Library.

©Ruth B. Lindemann, 2003 Danville Area Community College
Revised July 21, 2004.