CRP1109 -FWS- Cities and Climate Change (Spring 2011)   Tags: art_architecture, city_regional_planning, course_guide, environment  

Research needs and requirements vary with each assignment, project or paper. Although there is no single "right" way to conduct research, certain methods and skills can make your research efforts more efficient and effective.

Tips on how to find and develop a viable research topic.

Once you have identified the main topic and keywords for your research, find one or more sources of background information to read. These sources will help you understand the broader context of your research and tell you in general terms what is known about your topic. The most common background sources are encyclopedias and dictionaries from the print and online reference collection. Class textbooks also provide background information.

The Library currently offers two catalogs: the primary Library Catalog works best for broad keyword-based searches while the Classic Catalog may be preferable for highly specific searches and for searching special items such as music, law and items found in the Rare and Manuscript Collections. See the Catalog search tips for more guidance on the differences between the two.

Request materials; Request an appointment with Cornell librarians who can help with specific queries

Evaluating the authority, usefulness, and reliability of the information you find is a crucial step in the process of library research. The questions you ask about books, periodical articles, multimedia titles, or Web pages are similar whether you're looking at a citation to the item, a physical item in hand, or an electronic version on a computer.

Access your refworks account, find citation guides for APA, MLA and Chicago style guides, learn about EndNote workshops and more.

EndNote is citation management software produced by ISI. A free 30 day trial is available through the EndNote website. The software can be purchased at the Campus Store.

an online research management, writing and collaboration tool -- is designed to help researchers easily gather, manage, store and share all types of information, as well as generate citations and bibliographies.

Ask a librarian!