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Sociology: Home

Getting Started


Following the six step Information Search Process (ISP) will save time and keep you organized through all phases of any research assignment.

  Understand the Assignment: Understand the specifics including length of paper, topic options/instructions, citation style and resources permitted before beginning topic selection, research or any other part of the assignment.
  Select a Topic: Think about what the assignment guidelines are and choose something that is interesting to you.
  Explore your Topic: Take your topic and narrow it down to what you want to focus on, normally a few main points.
  Develop a Thesis/Specific Purpose Statement: Decide your objective so you can inform the readers what you will discuss.
  Research: Work within the assignment guidelines to decide on appropriate resources. Keep track of your citations as you go.
  Write: Using your research and critical thinking skills, write your paper.
Library Cards

Use your library card to borrow items and for off-campus access to eResources.

 

 

 

 

 

Subject Specific eResources
Start Your Research
 
Search for items available through the CCC Library
Search the college's eBook collections

Citations

Citation generator to help with your works cited/reference page.

You will need to create your own account (see the NoodleTools Tutorial for assistance).

An active library card is required to access NoodleTools from off-campus.

For citation help, check out the Citation Help page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Primary vs. Secondary Sources

 

 

Primary vs. Secondary Sources Quick Check

Characteristics of Primary Sources/Research Articles

  • Presents original data and ideas from a scientific investigation including the results of experiments, observations and other scientific investigations
  • Reported by scientists and written for others in the field and published in scientific journals (usually peer-reviewed)
  • Most primary articles have at least some of these headings - method/materials, experimental procedure, results, discussion/data interpretation

Characteristics of Secondary Sources/Review Articles

  • Describes, interprets, analyzes and evaluates the original research as well as comments on and discusses the evidence provided by primary sources

  • Written for a scientific audience or for a non-scientific audience by experts (scientists) or general writers
  • Published in science magazines and may be published in some science journals