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Library Research Basics: 2. Brainstorm

This guide will help you understand the basic process of library research for a typical college paper.

Remember...

...Not to skip this phase!

Before you begin digging deeply into your research, it's essential to think about your topic from all angles. Before you hit the library, be creative and get your mind working!

Have a listen

listen

Click on the link below to hear a librarian discuss the brainstorming process:

Think it through

“Brainstorming means examining your topic from a variety of angles—keeping an open mind and an open research log, the former to invite new ideas and the latter to house them.” -Mary W. George, The Elements of Library Research

Brainstorm

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Brainstorming allows you mentally prepare for what you'll be researching. The list below* can help guide you through the process. You'll want to keep a record of your responses to these questions, and may also want to discuss them with a friend.

  1. State your assignment in one sentence and your general research topic in another.
  2. Have a free-for-all discussion about your topic, with the aim of generating research questions to explore.
  3. For each specific question, imagine what kinds of information would help you answer it, and where this information might come from.
  4. What physical format would you expect this information to come in?
  5. What is the nature of these sources? (Primary, secondary, etc.)
  6. What points of view are likely to be presented in your sources of information?
  7. Who cares?

*These steps were taken from George, M. (2008). Chapter 2: From assignment to plan (14-60). In, The elements of library research. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Additional resources

Mindmapping tools

Some people benefit from mapping out their ideas visually. There are tons of free tools that can help with this. Find a few of them below:

Mindmeister

ThinkBuzan

XMind

Bubbl.us

Tutorials and additional information

You don't actually need fancy software to map or outline your ideas. Here are some tutorials on how to create a mind map.

Mindmapping.com - This site provides some ideas to help get started with the process.

Mindtools.com, Brainstorming - Here is a basic discussion of brainstorming, both alone and in groups.