Monarch OneSearch is the main search box on the library homepage. This is a great place to start for most topics. Start searching in Monarch OneSearch to get an idea for what research has been done on your topic, and where you might want to focus. Then move on the the databases listed below for more specific reseach. Some of the results will be duplicated between the two searches, but using both will allow you to determine which method will be best for your topic.
Step One: Skim the article to get a basic idea of its structure & content.
Step Two: Read the abstract, introduction, and conclusion. Summarize the purpose, hypothesis, and results of the study. Highlight the areas that are directly related to the topic of your research. (Color coding is always helpful!)
Step Three: Read the methods and instrumentation of the study. What type of study was used? Was it an interview, survey, or experimental intervention?
Step Four: Read the author's conclusion again and summarize it in your own words.
Step Five: What were the limitations of the study? Did the author make suggestions for future research?
PRO TIP: Keep a research journal where you keep notes on each of your articles. This will help you in creating your mind map and annotated bibliography.
Created by NCSU Libraries. A great resource for understanding the basic parts of a scholarly article.