This research guide will help you get started with your research using Loyola Libraries' resources.  You will find information on choosing a topic, forming a research question, determining your research needs, what resources will fill those needs, how to evaluate resources, and more!  Just click through the tabs on this guide as we discuss the important steps in conducting academic research.

Doing Academic Research

Step 1: Choose a topic and form a research question.

Step 2: Use tertiary sources (encyclopedias, dictionaries, books, websites) to do background research and gain a general understanding about your topic.

Step 3: Look for books and book chapters on your specific topic in Pegasus and WorldCat Local.

Step 4: Look for articles in Library databases like Academic Search Premier.

Step 5: Evaluate resources for scholarly-ness and don't forget to cite all resources in your completed research paper!