Getting Started
- Choose a Research Topic
This module from The Learning Portal explains how to choose a research topic that fits within the bounds of your assignment. - Understanding the Assignment (Video duration 5 minutes)
Before you can embark upon your research, you need to figure out what`s being asked of you! This video describes the best way to unpack your assignment description and plan accordingly.
- Canadian EncyclopediaThe Canadian Encyclopedia plays an essential role in providing Canadians and others with accurate, updated information about our people and country.
- Encyclopedia BritannicaEncyclopedia Britannica is the oldest English-language general encyclopedia. The Encyclopedia Britannica was first published in 1768, when it began to appear in Edinburgh, Scotland.
An encyclopedia or dictionary entry will help introduce you to a topic by providing a brief description and some context.
A book is a good place to get a broad overview of your topic, with individual chapters that cover different sub-topics.
A newspaper or magazine article is useful when researching current events, as they are published within short timeframes and written for popular audiences in plain language.
A journal article allows you to dig deeper into your topic, as they are usually narrowly focused and written by experts in the field. Be cautious, as many journal articles use dense, technical language.
- Pros and Cons of Controversial IssuesResearch on current issues - Although US-based, there are international social issues researched.
- Strategies for Essay WritingConcise advice on some fundamental elements of academic writing from Harvard College Writing Center
Resources
- One Perfect Source?Your topic seemed so great! So why can't you find any information on it? If you're looking for an all-in-one source that addresses your topic perfectly, you might need a different approach.
- Scholarly vs. Popular SourcesDefinitions as provided by McMaster University. Also explains 'peer reviewed'.
- Popular vs. Scholarly Sources (Video duration 4 minutes)Learn about the difference between popular and scholarly sources and where to find them.
- Evaluate for QualityTips from The Learning Portal to help you determine whether or not you should use a particular source for your research assignment.
- Writing Skills GuideNeed help with your writing skills? Check out this resource from Mohawk College Library
- Collins English DictionaryCollins free online English dictionary offers you all the latest words and phrases you need at your fingertips. Whether for study, at work, or on the go, you can check spellings, look up meanings and words you need, every day.
- Planning Your WritingFrom the Ontario Colleges' Learning Portal, resources to help you get started on your writing assignment.
- Oxford DictionariesPowered by Oxford University Press, this link provides access to different online dictionaries.
- Academic Integrity for StudentsMohawk College Library Student Academic Integrity guide.
- Don't Lose "Cite" of Avoiding Plagiarism (Video duration 4 minutes)Video produced by Niagara College Libraries that introduces students to the concept of plagiarism.
- APA GuideThe Library's APA Guide is designed to help you form citations for the most commonly used items such as books and articles. This is a good place to start and also provides Quick Links to more resources.
- APA Style Blog
The APA Style blog is the official companion to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Seventh Edition. It's run by the APA Style team—a group of style experts who work with APA Style every day. - APA In Minutes (Video series, duration varies)A series of very short videos from Humber College Library. Each describes the proper formatting of a reference for a particular type of information resource in APA style.