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Adams State University
Nielsen Library

First Year Seminar (FYS)

This guide supports both instructors and students in the First Year Seminar by offering essential resources, tools, and tips for navigating the library, finding credible sources, and building strong research skills.

Everyday vs Academic Research

Congratulations! You're already an information professional, because you're already constantly searching for information, often without even realizing it.

Everyday searching is the kind of information-hunting you do all the time. It might look like Googling how to fix your laptop, checking for restaurants near you, scrolling Reddit for advice, or browsing BookTok for your next read. Searching is already part of your daily life - but when it comes to finding trustworthy information for school or real-life decisions, not all searches are created equal. 

When it's time to write a paper, verify a news story, or make an informed decision, the way you search (and the sources you rely on) often need to shift. Casual searching can lead to fast answers, but academic or critical decisions require deeper digging, better sources, and more careful evaluation.

Everyday searching is a great starting point, you already know the skills. Now, it's time to build on them, sharpen your instincts, and learn how to search smarter. 

Academic searching is more focused or intentional than everyday searching. It's about finding credible, in-depth sources like scholarly articles, books, and research studies. These are written by experts and reviewed for accuracy. Instead of scanning the first page of Google, you're using databases and search strategies that help you dig deeper and evaluate the information you find more critically.

Think of it this way: everyday searching helps you get general answers, while academic searching helps you build strong, trustworthy arguments.

Things you might do when searching for Academic Information: 

  • Brainstorm/create a research plan by asking questions about your topic before searching
  • Create a list of keywords or search terms before you start your search
  • Think about what search platforms you're going to use
  • Use different databases for different information needs
  • Take the time to evaluate the sources you are using
  • Use sources to find more sources via works cited/reference pages
  • Think about the ethical implications of using and citing other people's ideas

Good news! You don't have to have this all figured out today!

That's why we're here to help! When learning to balance your instincts from everyday searching and learning more about academic research we recommend the following strategy: 

  • Start with where you are and what you know - and move up from there!
    • What search platforms are you comfortable using? Google? Wikipedia?
    • Try using some of the "academic" research techniques in these databases
    • Then think about expanding the search engines you use to incorporate different ones
  • Prioritize asking questions about topics you want to know about or that affect you
    • Sometimes a topic may seem to be over our heads or exclusive to one type of person
    • Remember that conversations shouldn't be limited to one location or one voice
    • Think about your own experiences and interests and ask questions related to them
  • Evaluate - have confidence in the information you're using
    • Use the SIFT method - sometimes it's about making an informed decision
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