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HIST 116 - Women in American History - Mo

This research guide will help you with your research projects in Eva Mo's class

Meet Your Librarian

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Iris Carroll
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Need help now? In addition to our Research Help Drop-In Hours Monday - Saturday, we have online help available. Simply go to the Ask a Librarian page to get immediate help.

My Research Help Schedule
(In Person, East Campus L & LC. and Online Chat)

Mondays: 9-11 am, 12-2pm, 3-4pm
Tuesdays: 9-10 am, 2-4 pm
Wednesdays: 9am-12 pm (on West Campus), 1- 2 pm
Thursdays: 11 am-1pm

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Times vary. To see when I'm available and to schedule an appointment with me, simply click on the orange "Schedule Appointment" button above, then pick your date/time. If you do not see a day/time that works, please email me and we can arrange another time.

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If I am your class librarian, contact me through the Canvas inbox for a response within 24 hours. If I am not your class librarian, email me at carrolli@mjc.edu.
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Research Is Not the Same as Gathering Information

Twenty-first century students don’t need to spend a lot of time learning how to find information. After all, many of you are online everyday gathering information: reconnecting with people, finding open classes through PiratesNet, downloading driving directions, weather forecasts, song lyrics, recipes, and celebrity gossip.

But gathering information is not research!  Research requires that you find information, of course, but it also demands much more from you. The MLA Handbook defines research in terms of  exploring ideas, probing issues, solving problems, or making arguments relating to existing ideas.  Yes, you need information to complete these tasks, but you also need lots of time to read the information you find, to reflect on it in terms of what you already know and what you are learning, and to write multiple drafts of speeches/papers so that you can present your research as clearly, logically, and successfully as possible.

This guide offers you a set of steps to follow that will move you beyond the mere gathering of information, and into the realm of real academic research. It will help you develop a research strategy that will, with time and practice, enable you to become a more efficient researcher, saving you time and sanity.

Feel free to return to this guide as many times as you need. Of course, if you find you need additional help, please remember that MJC Research Librarians are happy to work with you and can help you personally at the reference desk or online at Ask a Librarian.

 

8 Steps to Writing a Research Paper

Take a look at the graphic below to see the 8 Steps to Writing a Research Paper. Just follow these steps to have a successful and painless research experience:

eight steps to writing a research paper: Understand your assignment Choose a meaningful topic Assess available sources Do some background reading Create research questions Gather your sources Read, reflect, write, revise, and Utilize the L & LC


Click the link below to read the text of this image.