Finding Information
Most students come to CSULB without a clue regarding the steps of the research
process or the sophisticated discipline related materials available in Black Studies
and/or related interdisciplinary areas that can assist them with their academic
assignments.
Consequently, the first step in training African American student scholars is to teach
the need to define and articulate a thesis, break a topic down by concept, construct
Boolean searches, and use general sources to refine the thesis.
Once mastered these skills will greatly increase the success of students as they move
through the more advanced research steps which include clarifying or enhancing of the
thesis and search strategies, using various research databases, physically locating
materials in the library and online, and requesting needed material from other libraries.
These active learning information gathering and evaluation skills should be mastered in
the freshman and sophomore years of college. Without these skills students will falter
when faced with upper division Black Studies research assignments.