Advanced Writing in the Disciplines (AWD) : Academic Research

Using a database that fits your topic will help improve the quality of your research.

Find your Research Guide by subject, or if you would like additional help in selecting a database, please contact your subject librarian!

To conduct research for academic purposes:

• Choose appropriate research databases and websites.
• Find the right types of sources for your research.
• Use search techniques that retrieve focused articles and other sources.
• Evaluate and analyze the sources that you find.
• Explore with an open mind, and as you read, return to searching, and adjust your topic and approach accordingly.
• Cite sources appropriately.

The pages in this section will help with common tasks in AWD courses and assignments.  Please also view our video and PDF research tutorials!