How to
Find
Info

• Research topic
• Search concept
• Search statement
• Search materials
• relevance
• Locate items
• Use References
• Evaluate Sources
• Cite Sources
• Search strategy

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LINC now!

Thesis Research Strategy

The research for your thesis requires a wide variety of sources, ranging from textbooks and secondary sources to primary sources. This brief guide aims to sketch the process involved in doing research in the Library.

1. Select and set the limits of your topic. Consult your supervisor, classmates, previous theses completed or a librarian.
   | Research topic | Search concept |

2. Read an overview article in an encyclopedia, a journal or an annual review to get a sense of the breadth of the topic. Take note of the references cited.

3. Search LINC, the library catalogue, for some of these references. View the records in the FULL format to identify the subject headings used. Use these subject headings to search for additional records. Use the Library of Congress Subject Headings (available at the Information Desk) to find other relevant subject headings and search LINC again for more records.
   | LINC Guide | Search LINC now! |

4. Go to the shelves to locate the books you want. Browsing the shelves may also yield other useful books. However, if you are working on a inter-disciplinary topic, do not rely on browsing to find everything. Appropriate materials may be in widely separated parts of the collection.
   | Locate items in NUS Libraries |

5. After going through the materials found, reevaluate and refine your topic.
   | Evaluate sources |

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6. In order to find recent periodical articles, search indexes or abstracts (Web, CD-ROM or printed). There are general and specialized indexes to use. Use Select a Resource at NUS Libraries Homepage or our subject bibliographies to identify some indexes or consult a librarian. Some indexes are on CD-ROMs available at the Information Desk.
   | Search for articles |

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7. Consult other library sources such as newspapers, statistical data or government publications. You may have to visit other libraries or government departments in the course of your research. Always ask first about access policy and seek your supervisor's referral.

8. If you need materials not found in the library, make use of the library services available to you.

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9. Everytime you find a relevant source, check its bibliography or notes. This will lead you to other relevant sources. | Using references |

10. After spending some time doing your library research, start on the writing. It may seem hard to begin, but once you do, it will get easier as you go along. The process of writing will also help you keep on the right track and discover if you have overlooked any area.

11. You may need to repeat the whole process for each topic and subtopic in your thesis.

Some tips to remember:

• Record or save your citations accurately with all the necessary information. This will save you time and effort when you prepare your own bibliography.

  For articles, take down or save: author of article title of article source or journal title year, month or date volume issue number page numbers call number and location

  For books, take down: author of book title of book year of publication publisher with place of publication. call number and location

• Make sure you write or save the source of the item on the copy you make or else you will end up with items that you will not be able to identify and have to waste time checking.

• If you are researching a topic that is fairly recent, you are not likely to find books about the topic. Therefore, don't waste your time, head straight for periodical indexes, newspaper indexes, press clippings or other information sources. You may have to conduct your own survey or other forms of original research.

If you have difficulties locating the information you need, consult a librarian at the Information Desk of the various NUS Libraries.