Navigating academic research can feel overwhelming at first, especially with so many unfamiliar terms. This glossary introduces key vocabulary you'll encounter during the research process. Understanding these terms will help you feel more confident as you search for sources, evaluate information, and complete your assignments!
- Abstract - A brief summary of a research article, thesis, or review that highlights the main points and findings.
- Academic/Scholarly Source - A publication written by experts in a field, usually peer-reviewed, and intended for academic audiences.
- Annotated Bibliography - A list of citations followed by a brief description and evaluation of each source.
- Boolean Operators - Words like AND, OR, and NOT used to combine or exclude keywords in a search to improve results.
- Citation - A reference to a source of information, giving credit to the original author and allowing readers to locate the material.
- Database - An organized collection of information, often scholarly articles, that can be searched using keywords.
- Keywords - A significant word or phrase used to search for information in databases, catalogs, or search engines.
- Library Catalog - A searchable system used to find books, eBooks, and other materials owned by the library.
- Peer Review - A process where experts evaluate scholarly work before it's published to ensure quality and credibility.
- Plagiarism - Using someone else's ideas or words without proper citation, whether intentional or accidental.
- Primary Source - Original materials or firsthand accounts, such as interviews, original research, diaries, or historical documents.
- Secondary Source - Works that analyze, interpret, or summarize primary sources, such as textbooks or review articles.
- Reference List/Works Cited - A list of all the sources cited in your paper, formatted according to a specific citation style.
- Scholarly Journal - A periodical that publishes academic articles and research studies written by scholars or experts.
- Search Strategy - A plan for finding information using keywords, Boolean operators, filters, and databases.
- Subject Terms (or Subject Headings) - Standardized terms used in databases to describe the content of a resource, helping refine your search.
- Thesis Statement - A sentence in an essay or paper that clearly states the main argument or point of the work.
