Library Guides: Research 101: Home

This guide will help you find the sources you need to understand problems, answer questions, and craft solutions.

Click through the tabs at the top to navigate to each stage of the research process.

Pick a topic or question to investigate
Brainstorm search words
Choose where to search
Create a strong search
Troubleshoot
Evaluate sources
Save and cite sources

Keep in mind that this process isn't always linear. You will need to return to earlier steps as you research, and that's okay!

Quick Start

Search Worksheet
This worksheet guides you to break down your question, brainstorm keywords, and use them to build a strong search in a library database.

How-To Guides

A Guide to the Research Process
by Evangeline Reid Last Updated Jan 8, 2025 225 views this year
DSM-5 and DSM-5-TR
by Rachel Ford Last Updated Jan 8, 2025 67 views this year
EBSCOhost New Interface
by Mariah Tennell Last Updated Feb 19, 2025 368 views this year
Evaluating News: Biased and Fake News
by Evangeline Reid Last Updated Feb 4, 2025 525 views this year
Finding Qualitative or Quantitative Research
by Evangeline Reid Last Updated Jan 8, 2025 35 views this year
How to Access Phillips Library Databases & Resources
by Mariah Tennell Last Updated Jan 8, 2025 5 views this year
Printing Help
by Mariah Tennell Last Updated Jan 8, 2025 58 views this year
Research 101
by Evangeline Reid Last Updated Feb 10, 2025 44 views this year
Searching Google Like a Pro
by Evangeline Reid Last Updated Jan 8, 2025 5 views this year

Get Personalized Support

How to Make an Appointment with a Librarian

Log in to Academic SupportNet using your Okta credentials (your AU username without the @aurora.edu and password). If this is your first time using this system, you will be prompted to set up an account.
Select the "Research with a Librarian" calendar from the dropdown list of schedules, and then click a time slot that works for you.
Adjust the length to 60 minutes if you need more time. Appointments can be reserved for 30 or 60 minutes.
Select whether you would like to meet over Zoom or in person at Phillips Library.
Click "Create Appointment."

Please note that librarians are not able to help with writing, editing, or citations. For help with those topics, please make an appointment with a writing tutor on a different schedule.