1. Define the research problem.
2. Create a list of terms that describe your topic. Continually update, refine, narrow
Example: topic: sustainable architecture
other terms: green architecture, green design, architecture and energy conservation, architecture - environmental aspects
3. Keep track of sources: databases you've consulted, citations of books and articles
4. Locate resources from a variety of sources
library catalog
indexes and databases: online and print
bibliographies and footnotes in books and articles
identify researchers/experts in the topic area, search those authors' works
reference books
talk to your professors
