ENGL 390-395 Prof. Writing Program  

This tutorial is designed to assist you in locating resources for students enrolled in ENGL 390-395 Professional Writing Program.

For additional help, drop by any campus library Information & Reference Desk.

Research is not a simple linear process; it is a complex and challenging set of tasks. It becomes easier if you break down the process into manageable steps.

This guide will walk you through the process using the following sample project:

Our group wants to promote healthy eating on campus. We want to research the feasibility of bringing an organic farmers market to the McKeldin Mall.

Before you can look for resources, you need to define your topic:

• What problem do you want to solve?
• What situation do you want to improve?
• Who has expertise on this topic? And, how can you get in touch with them?

This might be the thought process for our sample project:

Who is our audience?
Our group is addressing our proposal at ...?

Who are the people most affected by our topic?
Students?
Organic farmers?
Campus administrators?
Local residents?
Local grocery retailers?
Campus health administrators?

Do the people affected by our topic produce information we can reference?
Articles in student newspapers?
Information produced by the university's health center?
Information produced about good nutrition by the U.S. government?
Information produced by the organic food industry?
Information produced by regional farmers markets?
Information produced by the state? Or, local government?

Where do we locate relevant information?

On a U.S. government web site?
Through a library database?
Through a general or targeted search through Google?
Through an arranged interview with an expert in this area?

Librarians are available to help you with your research through:

• Chat
• Email
• Phone
• In person at a library reference desk
• By appointment