3 Questions to Ask Yourself When Researching a Topic

Conducting research for a school paper can be challenging. There is a wealth of information available at your fingertips, and sorting through it all to find reliable, accurate sources takes real skill. Knowing where to look and how to evaluate what you find may be the difference between a strong assignment and one that falls flat.

Ask yourself these three questions the next time you sit down to research a topic.

1. Where Should I Start My Search?

Before diving into a search engine, take a moment to think about the type of information you need. Academic research generally calls for peer-reviewed articles, government data, or reputable organizational publications rather than general web pages or opinion blogs.

Here are a few strong starting points:

• Your institution's library portal. Most colleges and universities provide students with free access to academic databases, e-books, and peer-reviewed journals. These resources have already been vetted for academic credibility, which saves you time.
• Government websites (.gov). These are reliable sources for statistics, policy information, and official data. Examples include the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov).
• Academic databases. Platforms such as JSTOR, Google Scholar, and ProQuest index peer-reviewed research across a wide range of disciplines. Many are accessible through your school's library system at no additional cost.
• Reputable news organizations. For current events or industry trends, established publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, or industry-specific trade journals may provide useful context.

Starting with these sources can help you build a research foundation on solid ground.

2. What Keywords Should I Be Using?

Research begins with a search, and the quality of your search depends heavily on the keywords you choose.

Start by reviewing your assignment prompt carefully. Highlight the key concepts, subjects, or questions your instructor wants you to address. Those highlighted terms are your first set of keywords.

A few practical tips:

• Write your keywords down. Keep a running list in a document or on paper so you can track what you have already tried.
• Experiment with variations. If your first search returns too many results or too few, try synonyms, broader terms, or more specific phrases. For example, if "employee motivation" returns too many general results, try "intrinsic motivation in the workplace" or "employee engagement strategies."
• Use Boolean operators. Terms like AND, OR, and NOT can help you refine searches in academic databases. For example, searching "climate change AND policy" narrows results to sources that address both topics.
• Check subject headings. Once you find one good source, look at the subject headings or tags assigned to it. Those terms often lead you to additional relevant material.

Refining your keywords is an iterative process. Do not be discouraged if your first few searches do not yield exactly what you need.

3. Are My Sources Credible?

Citing unreliable sources may undermine even the most well-written paper. Before you use any source, take a moment to evaluate it.

For websites, consider the following:

• Who published it? A government agency, university, or established nonprofit organization is generally more reliable than an anonymous blog or a commercial site with a clear financial interest in the topic.
• What is the domain? While domain type alone does not determine credibility, it may offer a clue. The .gov domain is restricted to government entities, making those sites generally trustworthy for official data. The .edu domain indicates a higher education institution. The .org domain is used by nonprofits, though quality varies. The .com domain is used by commercial businesses and can range from highly credible to unreliable.
• Is the author identified? Credible sources typically name the author and provide credentials or affiliations. Anonymous content warrants extra scrutiny.
• Is the information current? Check the publication or last-updated date. For fast-moving topics like technology or public health, sources more than a few years old may be outdated.
• Does it cite its own sources? Credible authors back up their claims with references. If a source makes bold statements without citing evidence, treat it with caution.

For academic articles and books, ask:

• Is it peer-reviewed? Peer-reviewed articles have been evaluated by subject-matter experts before publication, which adds a layer of credibility.
• Is it published by a recognized academic publisher or journal?
• Has it been cited by other credible researchers?

Taking a few extra minutes to vet your sources before you commit to using them may save you significant time and protect the integrity of your work.¹

Research takes time and effort, but building strong habits early pays off throughout your academic career. For more tips on succeeding in school, explore our College Life blog.

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¹ Updated can to may since this was academic based and tips regarding research, etc. I know can is typically preferred and comes across stronger, but since it’s something that points back to school may reduces the appearance of the guarantee of the tips working.