ENG 152: Digital Nation

Exploring Your Topic With Pre-Research

• Helpful if you have an idea for a paper but not a fully-formed research question
• Further explore a topic to see if enough information about a topic exists
• Helps you refine your topic or help you find a new aspect of it to explore

A library database like Opposing Viewpoints is a great place to start. Their Browse Issues feature lists hundred of topics to explore. For each topic, you'll find a summary, as well as a list of numerous sources in various formats.

Pro Tip: For topics related to Digital Nation, click the Topics drop-down list and choose Science, Technology, and Ethics.

Start by reading the summary to gather keywords that look interesting to you.

The Research Process

1. Information need: What is your assignment asking you to find? 
2. Pre-research: Choose a topic, learn more about it, narrow it down, find keywords.
3. Research question: What is your assignment asking you to create?
4. Search strategy: Where will you look for information?
5. Search: Start with the main ideas of your topic or research question.
6. Evaluate every source you find - for credibility and usefulness.
7. Cite: You have found credible sources and answered your research question!

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The library is temporarily closed for renovations and will reopen in the Fall. For library support, you can visit the table outside of A212 or the A234 office. 

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