More to Research Than Meets the Eye: Uncovering niches

Initially, I thought, “okay, a book on library research, how much more could I learn.” Well, I am amazed by how specialized research is. Prior to reading the first two chapters of The Oxford Guide to Library Research, by Thomas Mann, I thought that I had exhausted my research if I had checked psych info, EBSCOHOST, Wilson Omni File, and J Store. After reading the Mann text, I realized that I could be starting with more specific sources in mind and branch out. Wow, what a concept, I could be thinking of a general recap of a topic, and then narrow down my starting point using specific sources such as specialized dictionaries and encyclopedias. This may sound inconsistent, but I think there is some logic here. I will begin with the Invention stage of the writing process.

We are often told by professors, “think about a topic you would like to research and narrow down a paper topic.” It seems to me that Mann would suggest that we start with a specific research topic, one that is already outlined in a reputable source. From this point on we begin with articles and other sources that are related to the topic. Moreover, our research being rooted in such sources means that we do not have to look to far for relevant material. This is where our extension of the topic comes in.

By starting with a clear and researchable topic, we set ourselves up for a clearer connection between articles and newly related research. This is where we get to find our niche. We now begin expanding the field of research on this topic. For our expansions of current research Mann suggests that we know how to thoroughly search catalogs. One of the practicalities of this is to avoid doubling up on research already conducted on the topic, hence avoiding mistakes or vague conclusions that were already made.

Mann actually takes the discussion of library research beyond that of what I would do with my own students, but he does prepare his readers for several of the issues researchers come across. Knowing how to overcome some of these roadblocks helps not only me as a research, but also as a teacher.