How to begin searching when little is known about your topic?

1. Look for relevant past examples

2. Brainstorm many key words connected to your idea

3. Think if there are other disciplines or fields that could be interested in your topic (but maybe from a different perspective)

4. Start broad, and read many sources, even those that don't seem like they match every element of your topic.

In class exercise -

Step 1. Brainstorm keywords for the topic given. Enter those keywords in this document.

Step 2. Brainstorm more keywords based on searching in 1Search or Google Scholar, and reading titles or search limiter headings. Enter those keywords in the shared document.

How the Research Deck works video

Research Deck project instruction sheet

BRR Specific Research Deck Ideas - (Google Doc)

Step 1: Take the Research Deck Pre-Survey

Pre-Step 2: Familiarize yourself with the research deck

Step 2: Do some research you were going to do anyway for 45 minutes. Use the research deck to guide your process.

Step 3: At the end of the 45 minutes, arrange the cards you used to create a map of your research process. Use post-it notes or paper scraps to label your feelings about how well each research deck card worked for you. You can label with emojis or numbers - Amazing face (#1), Good face (#2), So-so face (#3), Bad face (#4). Take a photo of your map and emojis or number ratings.

Write a few sentences (see prompts on longer directions) describing how you felt about each of the cards you used.

Email Zach Welhouse (zach.welhouse@oregonstate.edu) the picture of your map and the sentences about each of the cards used.

Step 4: Take the Research Deck Post-Survey - Zach will send the link after you email him your Step 3 info.

Compare and contrast these two articles. What is the same? What is different? As a researcher, when would you use each one?