ENGL 252 (Allred) November 13, 2025 by Jennifer Newman

Instructions

jn1314 — 2025-11-10 20:12:55 UTC

Create a new post in which you answer the following:

1) What is a research tip or habit that is effective for you? (This could be anything: a tool, strategy, search engine/database, attitude or disposition)

AND

2) What question/s do you have about research? (Again, this can be anything, from the general to the specific)

To create a new post, double click anywhere on the page, or click on the (+) icon on the bottom right of the screen

2025-11-13 02:40:49 UTC

1) Being in a biology major, most research I've done has been through the use of ".gov" websites or google scholar. For this type of research, starting out with using key phrases from the question I am trying to answer is always useful. From there, I find commonalities in the authors or types of research conducted in that area, which helps me find more specific articles that could either better answer my research question, or even lead me to asking different questions or to proving my question wrong.

2) When it comes to providing support for a research question that is based on history, are older academic sources more valid in terms of importance than modern resources?

Elvie

2025-11-13 04:00:30 UTC

1) The Hunter College Library is an extremely significant resource in my research and essay writing. The online database, in particular, makes access to peer-reviewed essays very accessible.

2) What should I do if I am having a difficult time finding information for my research paper(s) due to niche/under-explored topics, and I have already searched through the Hunter Library database as well as Google Scholar?

Talisha

2025-11-13 05:25:07 UTC

1) The most effective tip that I have used is taking notes as I read and being really organized with those notes from the very beginning. It helps me to immediately identify key arguments and any details I may want to refer back to later in the writing process. It also makes citations significantly easier.

2) How do I know what published paper I should read first?

2025-11-13 14:13:33 UTC

1: Something that helps me a lot when I’m doing research is keeping things very simple and organized for my brain. I usually start by asking myself, “Okay, what am I actually trying to understand?” If I don’t do that, I get stressed and everything feels too big. I also found that it helps when I open only one article at a time and write down the parts that stand out to me in my own words. Not fancy, just what I understood. That keeps me focused and calmer, and I don’t feel lost between too many tabs. Sometimes I even highlight the sentences that it kind of talks to me, because it makes it easier later when I try to write my paper.

2: Something I still struggle with is how to know when a source is actually good. Like, sometimes I think a source looks okay, but then I’m not sure if it’s “academic enough” or if the professor wants something more serious. I also wonder how people know which articles are actually useful without reading for hours. I’m still learning how to pick faster and how to trust myself during research.

Kenya

2025-11-13 15:55:22 UTC

1) I usually look for sources from other scholars, professors, colleges, and universities.

2) How should I tackle a source that both agree and disagree with my topic? Can I use it to support my topic or should I use it for the opposite side of the argument? Does it matter?

Sara

2025-11-17 15:45:57 UTC

1.) When I am doing a research paper and need a vary of academic sources to back up what my paper is about, I always use google scholar. On this website you can find 1000+ articles that are appropriate to use. I highly recommend using this website for any research purposes you are conducting.

2.) How do I know what article is best to use compared to all of the other articles?