AIS 3001-4099: Applied Interdisciplinary Studies

You'll likely start with a focus or topic for the assignment then develop it into a research question (or other form as determined by assignment). In this initial phase, be sure to do the following:

• Review assignment for requirements and guidelines (e.g. types of sources)
• Talk with professor to determine if research topic meets the scope and scale of the assignment

Once your research focus is determined, the next step is to identify key concepts and keywords to help you find sources. 

You can get more focused results by using key concepts and keywords when searching (e.g. Summon, library databases, Google). The Mapping Your Research Ideas video reviews this concept and guides you through the process using an example research topic. The Keyword Map worksheet can be used for individual and team-based projects.

Note: Video includes pause points to allow time to work on the Keyword Map worksheet

• Download Keyword Map worksheet (Word file link) or open a new Word document on your device 
• Watch Mapping Your Research Ideas video (2:53 minutes)
• Complete the Keyword Map worksheet using your research topic