Research Help - Draft

How to Research 

Example Research Assignment 

1. Define the Research Topic

eg. Discuss the effects that mergers and the increasing concentration of media ownership may have on objectivity in news reporting

2a. Keyword Identification

• media, radio, television, newspaper, film, news, publication, broadcaster ownership, concentration, merger, cartel, takeover, monopoly, objectivity, bias, control, prejudice, slant, diversity (not an inclusive list) 

2b. Combine Keywords

• media and ownership
• media and ownership and concentration
• media ownership and concentration
• media and merger* and ownership
• media and ownership and bias
• media and (merger* or ownership) and bias

3. Resource Types

• Assignment requires scholarly sources from within past 10 years 

4. Search Platforms

• Novanet (books and scholarly articles)
• Business Source Complete (scholarly business journals)
• ABI/INFORM Collection (scholarly [and trade] sources for business, management, and trades)
• Canada Commons (authoritative source for Canadian government and public policy documents)
• Canadian Business & Current Affairs (current events, business, science, the arts, mainly Canadian titles)

5. Revise the Search

• Alter search terms or strategy, try other search platforms as needed

6. Limit Results

• Books
• Peer reviewed articles
• Publish date 2014-2024

7. Get the Full Text 

• Read/download/print

8. Evaluate Sources

9. Write the Paper

10. Cite the Resources

Locate Resources

https://libraryguides.mta.ca/Find

Background Sources

Books & Ebooks

Articles

More types of resources

How to Read a Scholarly Article

https://uw.pressbooks.pub/yspreach2020/back-matter/appendix/

https://www.scu.edu.au/media/scu-dep/current-students/learning-zone/quick-guides/how_to_read_a_journal_article.pdf

Tips to read academic articles more efficiently:

Reading Tip #1: Order - Read the journal article in the following order, rather in the order in which it is presented on the screen or page:

1. Abstract
2. Discussion
3. Introduction
4. Results (skim)
5. Methodology (skim)
6. Conclusion

• Skim the article: Get an overview of the structure, content and key points
• Read the introduction to get an idea of the background, context, research questions or hypotheses
• Analyze the methodology to see the research methods to gather and analyze data
• Focus on the results and findings to understand the main findings of the study
  • Tables, graphs, or figures can be helpful summaries
• Evaluate the discussion and conclusion: The discussion section interprets the results and places them within the broader context of existing literature. Assess the authors’ arguments, explanations, and any limitations or shortcomings they acknowledge. The conclusion summarizes the main findings and highlights their significance.
• Scan the references and citations for further topic sources and to assess the credibility 
• Take notes and annotate: As you read, jot down key points, questions, or ideas that come to mind. Use annotations, highlighting, or underlining to mark important sections or quotes for easy reference later.
•  
• Engage in critical thinking: Approach the article with a critical mindset. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of the study, alternative explanations, or potential biases. Reflect on how the article contributes to the existing body of knowledge and how it may impact your own research or understanding of the topic.
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Other Helpful Resources

• How to Read a Journal Article in 10 Minutes or Less   (Peak Writing) 
• Reading a Scholarly Article  (Brown University)
• Anatomy of a Scholarly Article (NCSU Libraries)

Evaluate Sources - Apply the CRAAP Test

Currency: timeliness of information

• When was the information created or published?
• Has the information changed or been updated since it was published?
• Is the information current or out-of-date?

Relevance: importance of information for your needs

• How does the information help answer your question or address your topic?
• Who was the information written for? Experts, students, general audience?
• Is it an appropriate level? (too elementary or too advanced?)
• Have you compared it against other possible sources?

Authority: source of the information

• Who is the author or publisher?
• What are their credentials or qualifications?
• What are the author's institutional affiliations? (university, research institute, journalist, lobbyist)

Accuracy: reliability, accuracy, and truthfulness

• Where did this information come from?
• Is it supported by evidence?
• Has it been reviewed or refereed?
• Can you verify the information from your own knowledge or another source?
• Is the writing unbiased or neutral in tone?

Purpose: why the information exists

• What is the purpose of the information? To teach, inform, entertain, sell, persuade?
• Is the information fact? Opinion? Propaganda?
• Are the author's intentions clear?
• Is the point of view objective or impartial?
• Is the information driven by bias? Political, ideological, religious, cultural, institutional, personal?

Cite Sources

Cite sources using APA, MLA, Chicago, or other discipline-specific style guides 

 Research Help 

infodesk@mta.ca | 506-364-2564

Get research help with your subject librarian
in person, by phone, or online

Find your subject librarian

Writing Centre

Tutors at the Writing Centre, part of MtA's Academic Supports , are available to help with writing in all subject areas and at all stages of the writing process

• Essays, lap reports, class presentations, academic writing skills
• Cover letters, scholarship applications, etc.
• Citation styles

Book an appointment (Moodle) 

 R.P. Bell Library rm. M16 - Academic Support Help Hub

  wrc@mta.ca

Boolean Searching - AND, OR, NOT

Define the Research Topic

Keyword Identification

Resource Types

Search Platforms

Revise the Search

Limit Results

Get the Full Text 

Evaluate Sources

Write the Paper

Cite the Resources