Contact a Berks Research Coach for help!
Alexandria Chisholm
(aec67@psu.edu or 610-396-6242)
Sarah Hartman-Caverly
(smh767@psu.edu or 610-396-6243)
Brett Spencer
(dbs21@psu.edu or 610-396-6261)
Getting Started
-
Worksheet: Research Freestyle Needs AssessmentAnswer these 10 questions about your research project to plan next steps, discover resources, and make progress!
-
Worksheet: Research Freestyle Needs Assessment(Editable version.)
Topic Development and Background Research
-
Try These FirstGreat resources to start your research! Explore topics, gather background information, and discover keywords for database searching.
-
Worksheet: Developing a Research QuestionStep-by-step guidance on identifying a research topic, conducting background research, concept mapping, identifying keywords, and articulating a research question.
-
Worksheet: Developing a Research Question(Editable version.)
-
Research Help: Choose a TopicMore detailed advice and resources on topic development from University Libraries.
-
Search the Idea CollectionFind background info or topic inspiration from the Discovery Lab's Idea Collection!
Finding Sources: Search Strategy and Documentation
-
Worksheet: Develop a Search StrategyStep-by-step guidance on keyword brainstorming, search operators (AND, OR, NOT), and selecting search tools.
-
Worksheet: Develop a Search Strategy(Editable version.)
-
Research Guides by SubjectBrowse research guides by subject area to find database recommendations and search tips.
-
Library Databases A-ZFind a database for your research - browse alphabetically or by subject, or search on database titles and descriptions!
-
Worksheet: Research JournalTurn dead-ends into productive detours! Step-by-step guidance on evaluating your search sessions to refine your search strategy.
-
Worksheet: Research Journal(Editable version.)
Beyond Articles: Special Research Sources
-
Data Management ToolkitResearch Data Services can assist you in locating statistics and raw data sets for use in your research.
-
Find ImagesLocate fine art, news images, and other visual content.
-
Find Maps and Geospatial InformationA list of guides for locating and working with maps and geospatial information.
-
Find Rare and Primary SourcesSearch or browse finding aids to locate rare texts and historical primary source materials in Special Collections.
-
Find Polling DataBrowse public opinions on a variety of current political and cultural issues.
-
Find Surveys and TestsRetrieve copies of instruments.
-
Search the Engaged Scholarship CollectionDiscover research methodologies & more with the Discovery Lab's Engaged Scholarship Collection!
Evaluating & Selecting Sources
-
Strategies for Evaluating InformationStep-by-step guidance for evaluating information sources - includes video tutorials!
-
Printable Guide: Scholarly vs. Trade vs. Popular PublicationsTips on identifying articles from scholarly peer-reviewed journals, professional trade publications, and popular magazines.
-
Anatomy of a Scholarly ArticleLearn the standard sections of a scholarly article and the content you can expect to find in each. IMRaD - Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion.
-
Empirical ArticlesLearn how to recognize and limit to specific type of scholarly articles called empirical articles (also known as research articles or primary articles) through this tutorial from the University Libraries at Rider University.
-
Worksheet: Abstracts Up CloseClose-reading strategies for abstracts (article summaries) to inform source evaluation and selection.
-
Worksheet: Abstracts up Close(Editable version.)
-
Read Strategically: How to Read a Scientific PaperStep-by-step guidance from Purdue University Libraries on how to efficiently read a scientific paper for comprehension.
-
Read Strategically: How to Read & Understand a Social Science Journal ArticleProvides source reading strategies and information about each section in a social science journal article and the content you can expect to find there.
-
Worksheet: Deconstructing a Scholarly ArticleGuiding questions for critically reading and evaluating a scholarly article.
Using Sources: Synthesizing and Attributing Information
-
Worksheet: Working with SourcesStep-by-step guidance on critically reading sources, identifying claims and supporting evidence, and synthesizing information from source materials to support your own analysis.
-
Summarizing, Paraphrasing, and Quoting (Harvard)Learn the difference between summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting and how to use them effectively in this Harvard Writing Program guide.
-
What To Do After Reading (Excelsior OWL)Learn the difference between summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting, and learn strategies for reading analytically.
-
Worksheet: Your Own Words: Quoting, Paraphrasing, and SummarizingAn applied exercise to practice summarizing, paraphrasing, and direct quotation with in-text citations.
-
Worksheet: Your Own Words: Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing(Editable version.)
Citations and Academic Integrity
-
Citation GuidesAccess citation guides for APA, MLA, CSE, Chicago, and other style guides.
-
Worksheet: APA Style CitationsPrintable guide to APA style citations with practice template for journal article citations.
-
Worksheet: APA Style Citations(Editable version.)
-
Worksheet: MLA Style CitationsPrintable guide to MLA style citations with practice template.
-
Worksheet: MLA Style Citations(Editable version.)
-
The Plagiarism Spectrum (Turnitin)Familiarize yourself with ten types of plagiarism in this guide from Turnitin.