Feeling stuck? Need to talk it out with somebody? 

I'm happy to make an appointment for a 30-60 minute research consultation where we can discuss your project, your topic, your progress, and any barriers you may be encountering.

To make an appointment for a research consultation, please go here to schedule: 
https://csueastbay.libcal.com/appointments/

You can choose my name from the list to see my availability. If none of my availability on that calendar works for you, please email me at gr.keer@csueastbay.edu with some days and times that would work better and I will see what I can do!

*If you have a time-sensitive question and need an answer right now, please use the 24/7 chat box in the righthand column. You will be connected with a librarian and can chat in real time.

To get feedback on a draft of your paper, contact the SCAA writing tutors.

For guidance on how to write a paper in APA format, check out the APA Style Blog.

Welcome to the Library Research Guide for Human Development 499W: Senior Research Seminar!

In this Guide, you will find tips & tricks for successfully doing library research for your capstone project, including how to search for and find useful sources of information on your topic, how to cite, quote, and paraphrase from the literature, and how to get in contact with me for additional support and thought-partnership.

Brainstorming your topic

Try this brainstorming exercise:

1. Write your topic in a couple words
   1. For example: "depression"
2. Consider what you're interested in learning about your topic: Who does it impact? Where do they live? How does it impact them?
3. Write a longer phrase or sentence clarifying your topic
   1. For example: "depression in the elderly"
4. Now put it into the form of an open-ended question
   1. For example: "In what ways does depression impact quality of life for the elderly in long term care facilities?"
   2. This is the question your paper will attempt to answer.
5. Now identify the main ideas from your question. These will be your starting search words!
   1. For example: depression, quality of life, elderly, long term care facilities

Creating an effective research question

Your research question helps to guide you through your topic and unify your thoughts within your paper. The question also helps you to keep your topic appropriately scoped (sized) for the scale of your assignment.

Good research questions should be open-ended, which means you shouldn't be able to answer them with a yes/no.

Creating a good research question takes practice, so don't be discouraged if you have to experiment a little bit to get it right!

Literature reviews

Literature reviews are meant to orient the reader to the context of your research. They are most effective if organized by themes. To identify themes, refer back to your search words and concepts, and also try to group the sources you found. 

Lit reviews do NOT need to be comprehensive -- make sure to keep them scoped (focused) on the ideas you are going to address in your paper. It can be hard to know when to stop, so getting feedback on your draft from a classmate or writing tutor isn't a bad idea.

Send an email: libhelp@csueastbay.edu

Hayward Information Desk:
(510) 885-3765