Skip over navigation

Library Research FAQs

What does it mean to do college-level research? College-level academic work requires a broader process than most high school research projects. Students are expected to make an educated use of library resources and to apply critical thinking skills to the process and final product.

How do I find out books, articles, media, etc. the library has on a topic?

Ask A Librarian
For both immediate as well as in-depth library assistance, Ask A Librarian via chat, email, text messaging, phone, and face-to-face.

Ask A Librarian

Places to start:

Who do I go to for help with my research topic?

Subject librarians meet one-on-one with you to help you find information on your topic -- and narrow down topics and searches. They provide research support for all disciplines and area studies. A student wanting to learn more about Darwin or evolution might explore the following subject areas:

Is there someone who can help me with my writing?

Brown’s Writing Center offers free individual and group writing support for all stages of the writing process.The Center is staffed by graduate students from a variety of academic disciplines. Staff members are experienced writers and teachers who participate in ongoing training in composition theory and practice. In addition to holding one-on-one conferences, Writing Center Associates offer various workshops on writing for interested groups. MORE

What is plagiarism and how do I avoid it?

Norms regarding the quality and originality of academic work are often much more stringent and demanding in college than they are in high school. All Brown students are responsible for understanding and following Brown's academic code, which describes the University’s expectations regarding student work. If you need additional information on using source materials appropriately or ethically, speak to an academic dean or a faculty member. MORE

What can I use to keep track of my research and to create a bibliography?

Keep track of what you read. Skim first to get an overview or find a source.  If it's relevant to your work, record citation information for it. Disorganization may lead to accidental plagiarism, so be proactive in tracking your source materials. Use bookmarking (delicious) or a citation tool (Zotero, RefWorks) to keep track of URLs, sources, and access dates.

RefWorks  EndNote  Zotero 
  • Web-based
  • Organize, Access, Share
  • Output bibliographies and references directly to your document
  • Export as MS Word, HTML, XML, Open Office, RTF
  • Client-based (download software to your computer)
  • Output bibliographies, figure lists, and references instantly
  • Free Firefox extension
  • Collect, manage, cite
  • Output bibliographies and references

How do I cite something or someone in my research?

Citation guides vary by discipline. Check with your professor about the citation style you should use for any course assignments. Broadly speaking, American Psychological Association (APA) is used mostly for social sciences. Modern Language Association (MLA) is used for English courses and other humanities courses. History often uses the Chicago Manual of Style. Citation standards in the physical and natural sciences are a little more diverse. Most scientific journals stipulate a particular style, such as CBE for Biology, IEEE for Engineering, and American Chemical Society for Chemistry.

Below are some citation examples using The Beak of the FInch in various formats.

  • APA
    Weiner, J. (1995). The beak of the finch: A story of evolution in our time. New York: Vintage Books.
  • Chicago (Author-Date)
    Weiner, Jonathan. 1995. The beak of the finch: a story of evolution in our time. New York: Vintage Books.
  • Harvard
    WEINER, J. (1995). The beak of the finch: a story of evolution in our time. New York, Vintage Books.
  • MLA
    Weiner, Jonathan. The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time. New York: Vintage Books, 1995.
  • Turabian
    Weiner, Jonathan. The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time. New York: Vintage Books, 1995.

The citation manuals listed below are those that Brown students use most often for research and writing assignments.  

  • The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th Edition [Josiah Record]
  • MLA handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th Edition [Josiah Record]
  • Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th Edition [Josiah Record]
  • The ACS Style Guide: Effective Communication of Scientific Information, 3rd Edition [Josiah Record]

What does the research process include?

Your research will take a number of paths depending on the project and the subject area, but generally the following steps should be a part of the process:

  • Define your research question or hypothesis
  • Explore possible sources to get a better sense of the topic
  • Refine your research question
  • Identify how you will do your research. Will you use primary, secondary, or tertiary sources? Is original research appropriate, i.e., surveys or experiments?
  • Collect information from a variety of sources using the methods you identified above.
  • Keep track of your sources
  • Evaluate your sources for quality and relevance to the topic
  • Adjust your research question as needed
  • Synthesize the information and apply it appropriate based on the assignment
  • Be aware of plagiarism and copyright
  • Cite your sources in the appropriate citation style

If you have questions at any point in the research process, feel free to Ask a Librarian.