This guide is designed to help students in the Creative Writing program find starting research and publication materials. This page provides help in developing research questions and a few databases to help you get started. For more resources, check out the "Resources for Writers" tab.
Start here! Useful databases for getting started on your research. Visit the tab on "Finding Sources" for more subject specific research resources.
Search or browse all databases. Recommended databases are listed below.
As you're working on your writing, you may need to complete historical research or research that can help you write from a different perspective. Developing a research question can help you focus you research, here are some things to think about during this process:
1. Select a topic that genuinely interests you. Look at course readings, class notes, Google, Wikipedia, CQ Researcher or Credo Reference for initial ideas.
2. Consider the scope of your topic. If it is too narrow, you might have trouble finding enough information. If it is too broad, you might be overwhelmed with information.
3. Turn your focused topic into a research question. Know that your research question may change depending on what sorts of resources you find. While you should have a topic or question in mind, allow the sources you find, along with your interests, to help shape and refine your topic further.
Questions to guide the development of your research question:
The Mansfield Library provides a full suite of video tutorials to help you with topic selection, searching, citations, copyright and more.