Watch the video below to see how to create research questions.
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.
What are others saying and writing about your topic? What different issues or ideas really interest you enough to focus your research on? Who is writing about your topic?
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Why search here? Use this database for preliminary reading as you start your research. You'll learn about your topic by reading authoritative topic overviews on a wide variety of subjects.
What's included: Gale eBooks is comprised of subject, specialized encyclopedias with articles written by scholars and experts.
Why search here? Use this database when you want topical, in-depth coverage of world history from antiquity to the present. Read about the background, outcomes, and contemporary points of view for the major topics in history from every region of the world. This is a great database for finding primary sources.
What's included: You'll find pro/con articles, timelines, and primary sources.
Use this database to find primary sources and brief overview articles regarding the Latino American experience from pre-contact Aztec and Maya societies to 21st century political issues like recent immigration law to cultural themes like coming-of-age rituals, music, literature, and cuisine.
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Think of research questions as a grocery list designed to guide you through a huge “store” of information. This list will allow you to efficiently locate and retrieve the most relevant knowledge possible to support your thesis, prevent you from getting off track as you sift through large quantities of information, and even help keep you organized as you begin writing. Your list of questions may change and/or expand as your research progresses.