AFR 325: Research Methods

This guide provides an introduction for academic research.  The best strategy is to start broad and then narrow your search as you discover more relevant keywords and concepts.  If you get stuck, a librarian is always available to help!

This guide is designed to support your research by reviewing the existing academic literature to see what scholars have written about your topic(s). 

Additionally, this course introduces students to the fundamental principles of academic research, information retrieval, critical evaluation of sources, and the ethical use of information, including the application of generative AI. Students will learn to:

• Navigate library resources
• Identify reliable information
• Integrate sources into research papers

After this Library Instruction Session you will be able to:

• Identify and locate relevant library resources (e.g., databases, books, journals).
• Develop effective search strategies using keywords and Boolean operators.
• Evaluate the credibility and relevance of academic literature. 
• Understand academic integrity, including proper citation (including generative AI)