Organizing Your Sources
Making sure you organize your resources as you find them is a crucial part of the research process. Making sure you can locate and get back to information you want to use will help stream line your research. Some important information to be taking down is your search terms including combinations of terms you searched, your results especially if you find a source you are considering using to cite, and any notes on the sources like why you chose that source. Here is a list of items to track:
Search Terms: What keywords can I pull from my main ideas and questions I have about my proposed topic?
Results: SOAR and many other databases have the feature of 'Saving Your Query' for future reference, or 'Saving an Item'. You will need be sure to log in to save and get back to your materials. Additionally, you can utilize an excel spreadsheet or table in a word doc to log your research. You can also use NoodleTools to log your resources! When logging results, be sure to take down the permalink and/or citation.
What is a permalink? If a database goes through an update, the URL bar links may change, in turn you will lose access to the source you found. By taking down a permalink, this ensures the link will not break and will work every time. Permalinks are also sometimes called Permanent Links, Persistent Links, Stable URLs, and Direct Links. For more information on getting permalinks in different databases, visit Creating Persistent Links to Content page. If you have trouble, reach out to a librarian.
Notes: If I have found a lot of results with similar titles, it's a great idea to note what sets the resource apart from the others.
Search Log Example:
| Search Terms | Results | Notes |
| Masks, Classroom, Covid |
Gallè, Francesca, et al. “Understanding Knowledge and Behaviors Related to CoViD-19 Epidemic in Italian Undergraduate Students: The EPICO Study.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 17, no. 10, MDPI AG, 2020, p. 3481–, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103481.
Permalink: https://i-share-ivc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CARLI_IVC/ kdtr8p/cdi_doaj_primary_oai_doaj_org_article_0ea3e392de0b4483b0bcda33f56bf120 |
This source provided a survey to undergraduate students about behaviors they adopted during lockdown. |
| Masks, Effects, Communication, School |
Mheidly, Nour, et al. “Effect of Face Masks on Interpersonal Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Frontiers in Public Health, vol. 8, Frontiers Research Foundation, 2020, pp. 582191–582191, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.582191.
Permalink: https://i-share-ivc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CARLI_IVC/ kdtr8p/cdi_doaj_primary_oai_doaj_org_article_1bddce324ee3470f88e70d62f9281f37 |
This source was specific to masks and communication. |
Source: Walden University Library
Organizing Your Information
