Research Help: Home

The Research Process

Research is a multi-step undertaking that includes selection, exploration, collection, and presentation; for many of your assignments, you will need to use different resources and search strategies as you progress. Use the tabs on this page for more information about each stage in the process.

Selection

Choose an area of inquiry or research question to address.

• Use HillSearch to find reference works and books that provide a broad overview of your topic.
• Use popular search engines, such as Google, to explore your topic.

Exploration

Use the information you obtain to narrow your focus or refine your research question. Often, your topic will change as you move from an initial topic into an exploration of the resources available on your topic. Choose particular resources you would like to search, and then identify possible search terms you will use to locate materials within those resources.

• Use HillSearch to find print and electronic books, journal articles, primary sources, audio-visual materials, and government documents related to your topic.
• Use WorldCat to search for items not held by MacPháidín Library and order materials using ILLiad, the library’s interlibrary loan system.
• Use library class guides to access materials related specifically to your course. This is only available for some courses.
• Use library subject guides to access disciplinary-specific resources.
• Use Google Scholar, to access materials in open access journals, free online collections, or GoogleBooks.
• Evaluate those web-based materials for authority, accuracy, objectivity and currency.

Collection

Organize the resources you have collected, making sure you have all the necessary information to properly cite the resources you use.

• RefWorks, an online tool, can help you to automatically compile your bibliography.
• The Library’s Citation Guides give detailed instructions on different citation styles; use these if you are manually creating a bibliography or need to ensure your work is properly formatted. On the right-hand side of this link, you will see a drop down menu to select the different Citation Style Guides used in your courses.

Presentation

• Visit the College’s Writing Center for help with structuring your final research product.
• Reference help is also available. Visit THE DESK or call 508.565.1313, or email us.

Research Assistance

If you need help at any point during your research process, or with any of the specific resources or research steps listed above, Librarians are here to assist you. We offer one-on-one research consultations, which you can book online through LibCal.

Off-campus access to most of the library's databases is available. In order to use these resources from home, you will need to log in using your MyHill credentials - your username and password.

If you need assistance please contact the The Desk at 508-565-1313.