Welcome! This guide provides useful resources for developing your research proposal. For help brainstorming search strategies and searching for resources, e-mail librarian Anna Hulseberg at ahulsebe@gustavus.edu or visit our Ask Us! page for more options.
Image credit: "House Party 2.0 at 2023 Innovative Housing Showcase" from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is available in the public domain.
Research isn't a linear, predictable process. We often hit roadblocks. Our search terms don't yield the results we hoped for. We find a great article but it's in a language we don't read or speak. We can't seem to find enough sources to answer our research question.
The problem is not hitting obstacles, it's giving up when we do. Research requires us to be flexible and adaptable. Above all, it requires us to persevere through roadblocks. Research is iterative, not linear. This means as we gather information, we're also refining our research topic or question. We then see which information gaps we have, so we then do more research to find additional sources, and then repeat the process further. It can be messy but exciting. It requires time, patience and perseverance.
When you hit stumbling blocks, take a step back, assess your search approach, and try something new. And please contact a librarian with any issues - we can help you solve them!
24/7 Chat: When Gustavus librarians are not available, librarians from other institutions will be available to help you 24/7.
Research Help Appointments: Schedule a one-on-one consultation with a Gustavus librarian; both in person and virtual appointments are available.
Research Next Steps Program: Fill out this form at any point in your research; a librarian will respond with suggestions and tips within two business days.
E-mail: folke@gustavus.edu (please include your name, the best way to contact you, and a brief description of your research needs)
This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
