White papers can be difficult to locate -- there is no single database that collects white papers! The following resources can be helpful in looking for guidance and examples.
Use a Research Log to document the choices you make during your research process. A Research Log can be as simple or complex as you need it to be, but it should collect the following basic information, to help you track and think critically about your research.
You can also use this tool to keep notes on your progress. Write about what's been successful, what's frustrated you, or take notes about what you're reading. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, elaborate, or even academic -- just a way to keep a log of your thoughts and what you've found.
Moving from a research question to an effective search strategy requires that you:
For example:
Modified from Research Methods in Gerontology LibGuide, Georgia State University Library.
Plug your search strategy into one of the Library databases that indexes topically-related content. All of the resources listed below can be accessed through the Libraries' website.
Not sure how to begin? Check out this video for a quick primer on how to choose a database.
The Libraries pay for subscriptions to many journals and databases, which gives you access to many resources that are otherwise behind a paywall for folks without access to a major research library. When you start your research with the Library, you are also starting in the right place, which saves you time!
Multidisciplinary and Computer Science-focused databases are excellent sources of articles to support your assignment. Try these databases first.
Multidisciplinary:
Computer Science:
For this Social Issues class, if you want to explore different perspectives on a topic in computer science, the following discipline specific databases may be useful:
Business:
Communication:
Current events:
Education:
Environmental Science:
Legislation and Public Policy:
Philosophy and Ethics:
Psychology/Public Health:
Reference (background information):
Information will come to you in a variety of formats. Different types of resources have different authority and credibility cues and different purposes and uses. It is important to know the differences between resource types so that you can make good decisions about which ones to trust and use in your own work.
Reference managers | Portfolio builders | Concept mapping | Project management | Secure storage |
RefWorks | GitHub | bubbl.us | Trello | Box @ UMass |
Zotero | Website @ UMass | coggle.it | Asana | |
Mendeley | Blogs @ UMass | Mindomo |