Skip to Main Content

UNIV 180: Science Research Professional Development I: Home

Welcome!

Feel free to email me if you have any questions about your research or if you'd like to set up a research consultation.                         Alicia Ikerd  /  aliciaikerd@depauw.edu

General Research Tips from Alicia

Research Tips from Alicia:

1. Paper and pencil.  Write things down.  Look for common keywords, authors, phrases.  Use these to search for articles in library subscription databases.

2. Keep track of useful sources as you find them.  Download and save or print articles as you find them.  Or email citations to yourself.

3. Read.  Email citations to yourself; these will have links back to the database and the possible link to FT.  You may need to read over ten articles to find three good ones.

4. Interlibrary Loan:  this is an option for articles and books we don't own or have access to through a subscription.

5. Set up DePauw access to your instance of Google Scholar. 

6. Consider using Zotero to organize your citations.  See the companion LibGuide for this tool to explore and create an account. 

7. Cite your sources.  Accurately documenting your sources used for research is an important part of the research and writing process. Documentation gives credit to information originally written elsewhere and enables others to find the information source again.

8. Email Alicia to set up a research consultation.  Don’t struggle – ask for help.  (Also available: stop by TheDesk at the ROW Library to see a Library Research Consultant).

Powerpoint: Primary Research Articles & Popular Sources

What is a primary research article?

Here are some common characteristics of primary research articles:

  • Author(s) present data and findings from original research after conducting an original experiment.
  • A primary research article typically contains the following sections: Methods/Materials, Results, Discussion.
  • Look for information on SI (Supplemental Information).  This may include additional data and/or research information.  Be sure to track down and read the SI for a complete understanding of the research being presented in the article.

What is a review article?

Here are some common characteristics of review articles:

  • Author(s) analyze and summarize existing research.
  • There is often a focus on a broad topic, examining articles that are relevant, useful.
  • Review articles do not have sections such as Methods/Materials, Results. 
  • Author(s) may conclude a review article with a section outlining areas for future study of the topic.