GETTING STARTED - Introduction to Social Research - @Rutgers Libraries

Planning your Search

What is your research about?

Which words would best capture your topic?

Here is an example about how you may want to plan your search.

Don't know where to start?

Knowledge is of two kinds: we know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it. -- Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784)

For an introduction to concepts and ideas for research topics, electronic reference sources or subject Encyclopedias can be useful.

Also use Google Scholar (via Rutgers Libraries to link to RU subscriptions)

QuickSearch : search the entire library's catalog

WorldCat : another catalog to search and view resources available outside of Rutgers

Indexes and Databases: to narrow down the scope of your results, select a database for a more focused search process

Learning Tools: view tutorials on using Quicksearch, organizing your search, citing resources and more!