Unit two
Researching an essay
Unit contents
Using your computer for research
How do I do research for an essay?
Doing research for an essay or assignment simply means finding out about the topic you are going to write about. Research is often divided into two kinds: secondary and primary. Secondary research means reading books or articles. Primary research means going out and finding data for yourself. Most first-year assignments ask you to do secondary research only.
Many lecturers give reading lists for assignments. Most lecturers are pleased if you read beyond the reading list and include additional references in your assignment.
Most of your reading will be done in the library, but the web can also be a valuable source of information.
Whether you use sources from the library or sources from the web, you should always give full references in your assignment. It is best to note down the full reference to a source while you are reading it or taking notes.
How can my computer help me do research for an essay?
Your computer can help you with research in several ways. You can use it to search the HKU Library catalogues. You can also use it to search for additional information on the web. Lastly, you can use it to organize your notes and references.
