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Research 101 (USC Libraries)

Research 101 is an interactive online tutorial for students who want an introduction to academic research skills. The tutorial covers how to select a topic and develop research questions, as well as how to select, search for, find, and evaluate information sources.

Research 101 is intended to help you improve how you perform research, so you can tackle information problems anywhere. Research 101 is not a guide to finding specific resources for a specific topic; instead, it introduces the process of doing research and the skills required to make good decisions along the way.

This tutorial is not intended to replace meetings with your course instructors or USC librarians. For help with specific research questions or materials, please visit USC Libraries' Ask-a-Librarian.

Important usage information:
Many of the research resources indicated in Research 101 are restricted to USC users only. If you are viewing this tutorial from off-campus, you will not have access to the licensed databases unless your home computer is recognized as part of the USC network. For information about connecting from home, please visit the USC ITS web site.

Get Started

There are 6 units in this tutorial, each with its own set of objectives, information, and exercises. We recommend that you start with "The Basics."

USC Libraries has customized and expanded this resource for use by USC students and faculty. It is based upon content and design elements developed for Research 101 by UWill, University of Washington Libraries, copyright 2001-2005. It is used here by permission.