Section 2: Finding Information

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.

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