Need help --> How to research?

I have a problem: I have no idea how to research. No clue.

Here's my typical research strategy (with illustrations):

1. I have a topic to research (a needs assessment on domestic abuse in Hall County, GA for instance), so I go to my computer, log in, and go to google. So far, everything's hunky-dory. :typing

2. I type in "domestic abuse georgia," click on a few links, then type in "battered women statistics," click on a few links, type in "georgia domestic violence resourses,", click on a few links, etc. I find a few randomly useful bits of information, and I now feel rather overwhelmed by the internet, domestic abusers, my computer, and life in general. :behindpc: :sofahider :chair:

3. I have no further ideas, so I sit for a few minutes, staring at my computer in utter dejection and despair, and contemplate calling my sister, who excells at research. Unfortunately, I have asked her to do research for me countless times in the past, and I really need to learn for myself. Even more unfortunately, she is at a loss explain her wonderful research techniques to me. At this point, I decide that it is all my computer's fault (denial). :Crash: :deadhorse

4. Having spend the last of my energy getting frustrated, I slump in my chair and contemplate what a failure I am.

5. I go to sleep, because that's how I cope when I can't cope, and put the project off until the night before it's due.:beercuphe

Obviously, this is not the most effective researching strategy, but I did it several times last semester, and I would rather overcome it if I can. Can any research buffs out there give me some general research tips (for example, other websites besides google to use)? Also, any specific research tips for this project would be greatly appreciated. Also, I'm very unsure of how to organize the information. Really, I just have no clue concerning research in general. But I could just go on and on and on.

Also, just because I like the smileys, I have to include this, because it's my favorite: :smiley_ab

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

Although conducting Internet searches can be helpful and quick for general stuff, to complete research for academic papers you often need to cite peer review studies, and you generally cite more "meaty" sources.

All of the schools I have attended have subscriptions to professional search engines that you can access through their web site. Your school probably has such a service, you just don't know about it. Go to your school's library and ask them about their on-line resources available to students, and many of them will even take the time out to help you get oriented on them if you ask at a time when they are not too busy. Once you have access to the academic research engines I am sure you will have better luck with your searches.

Good luck!

[llg, PhD, RN]

All of the schools I have attended have subscriptions to professional search engines that you can access through their web site. Your school probably has such a service, you just don't know about it. Go to your school's library and ask them about their on-line resources available to students, and many of them will even take the time out to help you get oriented on them if you ask at a time when they are not too busy. Once you have access to the academic research engines I am sure you will have better luck with your searches.

Good luck!

Why is it that so many students ignore the help available to them through the library? They PAY for the library and the salaries of the people who work there ... but rarely go there for help. Helping the students is what the libraries and the librarians are there to do. They can be a big help.

[kbnocturna]

Although conducting Internet searches can be helpful and quick for general stuff, to complete research for academic papers you often need to cite peer review studies, and you generally cite more "meaty" sources.

All of the schools I have attended have subscriptions to professional search engines that you can access through their web site. Your school probably has such a service, you just don't know about it. Go to your school's library and ask them about their on-line resources available to students, and many of them will even take the time out to help you get oriented on them if you ask at a time when they are not too busy. Once you have access to the academic research engines I am sure you will have better luck with your searches.

Good luck!

OK, thanks a lot. I will check into my school's library's resouces.

One question: what are "peer review studies?"

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

A peer review study is, "... research is the gold standard of mainstream science. A peer-reviewed article has been critically read and reviewed by trained scientists. Peers are given the opportunity to anonymously comment on the adequacy of the experimental design and the validity of the conclusions that are drawn from the scientific work under review. The publication of research in a peer-reviewed journal means that the article has passed the scrutiny of fellow scientists. Studies that have not been through peer-review are not necessarily flawed, but peers have not been given the opportunity to judge the scientific merit of the results that are derived from such studies (University of California, Davis)".

As you know, basically anyone can write anything on the Internet. It can sometimes be difficult to determine who is legitimate and who is bogus. Schools want to see that you have done research within the medical field and can cite legitimate sources in your work rather than "Bob's Medical Blog"!

Many of these peer reviewed studies are only available through subscription services/search engines. These can be expensive for individuals to subscribe to but schools who are offering nursing/medica/dental courses generally have at least one subscription to a legitimate medical search engine where you can get access to this data for free! Like IIG said, you have paid for is with your tuition fees, so you may as well take advantage of it.