What?

Task Definition
1. What is my research question?
2. What do I already know?
3. What information do I need?

Where?

Search Plan
1. What type of information do I need? For example: general, in depth, current, historical, biographical, issue oriented, other?
2. Review suggested resources, circle ones that fit, prioritize your list.
3. Evaluate resources for significance, accuracy, currency, authority.

Sample Book List
592 Con Spineless wonders
595 Lau Earthworms: underground farmers
595.7 Ber Bugs in the system
595.7 Das Insect Biology: 49 science fair projects
595.7 Wil National Audubon Society Field Guide: Insects
597.097 Fil Peterson's first guide to fishes
597.8 Phi Tracking the vanishing frogs
599 Bur A field guide to the mammals

Sample Reference Book List
Ref 591 Mar International Wildlife Encyclopedia (25 vol.)
Ref 578.76 Aqu Aquatic Life of the World (10 vol.)

How?

Location & Access
1. Jot down rich words that relate to your topic.
2. Check your words, change your words if your search fails.
3. Focus your search by looking for relationships between elements in your research question.

Words to try for keyword or SUBJECT searching the North Library catalog.