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GEOG 101 - Aguilar

Learn to use MJC Library resources like a pro to complete your geography projects in Thomas Aguilar's class

Learn the Basics About Your Topic

It's important to begin your research learning something about your subject; in fact, you won't be able to create a focused, manageable thesis unless you already know something about your topic.

Do a Little Background Reading:

This step is important so that you will:

  • Begin building your core knowledge about your topic
  • Be able to put your topic in context
  • Create research questions that drive your search for information
  • Create a list of search terms that will help you find relevant information
  • Know if the information you’re finding is relevant and useful

Reference sources are highly credible sources filled with thorough yet concise discussions that let you know the “who, what, when, why, and where” information on your topic right at the start of your research.

Top Picks:

Let Questions Drive Your Research

Research questions help you focus your topic and give you a series of questions that you'll spend your research time answering. You'll create your questions based on the background reading that you do. Just think how much research time you'll save by having a list of questions in hand before you start hunting and gathering information. You'll also know that the information you seek and find is relevant to your topic.

Example Research Questions:

  1. Is there a link between climate changes and geography?
  2. Have global environmental changes affected specific communities?
  3. What regions have been affected by global warming?
  4. How have indigenous peoples reacted to climate change?
  5. What are the social, cultural, and environmental implications of these changes?
  6. Is mass migration of certain populations due to climate change inevitable?
  7. What impact does mass migration have on those emigrating and on the countries to which they immigrate?

MJC Librarian, Kathleen Ennis, explains why you should always begin your search for relevant, credible information by creating a list of research questions that will drive your research quest.

Brainstorm Key Terms

Using the correct words to search will help you find relevant information. Use your research questions to help you create a list of key words to use in your searches for information.

Because different authors and search tools use different words to describe the same concepts, it's useful to have a list of similar and related terms in your arsenal when you set out to search for relevant information. 

Keywords for Researching "Climate change induced migration":

climate change

climate changes

global warming

migration

climate changes mitigation

global environmental change