Basic Steps
Before you do any research, briefly think about and try to describe the "ideal" resource for your project.
- What would be the title of an ideal magazine article?
- What would be the title of an ideal book?
- Do you already know of a good book or article that may be able to help you?
- Would a specialized source be useful? For example, standards or laws?
- Are you searching for types of data? Methods of calculating something?
- Are you searching for very specific information, or do you wish to find as much as possible on your project?
Before you do any research, try to identify any professional associations, organizations, or groups which may be related to your project. You might also have to look up companies.
- Many organizations and associations have their own libraries that may be able to help you.
- To locate companies that may be able to help you, start with the ReferenceUSA Business Databases. You can use the U.S. Businesses Directory Database to quickly locate basic directory information. The database features more than 14 million company records.
Before you do any research, write up a list of keywords about your project. Try to think broadly. Keep in mind that as you research, you will discover new keywords -- be sure to add them to your list.
For a project of designing a Continuing Education Facility, here are some possible keywords:
| colleges | universities |
| continuing education | special events |
| classrooms | multi-use space |
| multi-use buildings | parking |
| lecture halls | seminar rooms |
| conference rooms | courtyards |
| bathrooms | lavatories |
| construction | construction project management |
| construction project costs | barrier-free design |
| loading dock | plumbing fixtures |
| elevators | vending |
| lobby | interiors |
| Internet | social media |
Remember that when you research in some resources, you will probably have to use combinations of keywords in order to retrieve relevant results.
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