LALIS 453: Romantic Spain: Getting Started

Getting Started with Your Research

I recommend that you start by asking yourself concrete questions of the sort that will generate a plan of action. Each of them can be expanded and repeated as necessary.

• What do I want to know? (Make yourself an initial list of questions)
   
• Do I need background information on people, places, concepts, events?
   
• Who (what field of study, group of researchers, organizations, etc.) is likely to have published relevant information or ideas? 
   
• Where and in what form are the results of their research likely to be published?
   
• What questions should I ask in trying to identify that research?
   
• How should I interpret or evaluate the information I find?
   
• Are there primary (un-interpreted) sources I should consult?  Who would have created them?
   
• What new questions are raised by these sources, both primary and secondary?

Make your life easier: Keep track of your research progress by recording the following:

•  Bibliographic information on the works you consult;
•  Any developments or refinements in your topic;
•  Names of key persons, authorities, cases, places, or events;
•  New terms you discover in titles, abstracts, or articles that might be helpful in searching for other sources.
•  Saving search results to an electronic file, for easier searching and sorting later.