Getting Started - ACCTG 642 - Accounting Research - LibGuides at Kansas State University

Welcome!

You get to embark on research! We get to help you get there!

This site contains everything you need to successfully complete the research process.

But remember, if at any point you're not sure what to do or where to go next, you can always Ask a Librarian!

Developing Your Research Topic

Whether you've selected your own research topic or your instructor has provided you with one, you will likely find yourself modifying it as you write and gather information.

Take a moment and read these tips about topics:

Refining a Topic Duke University

With those ideas about your topic in mind you are ready to start researching. It is best to start your research as soon as possible. At the very latest it should be started two or more weeks before the due date. Trust us on this! Starting early will give you time to search on your own, Ask A Librarian for guidance, and go back to your instructor if you need to refine your topic.

Most of the time, we hear great topics from students. Sometimes these topics are so unique that data has not yet been compiled and published about them. So if you are searching and searching and can’t find the data you need, its possible that data doesn’t exist yet. Be sure to Ask A Librarian for help, a librarian can suggest other resources or similar topics by tweaking your topic to address data that does exist.

(And, save that topic! When you start doing original research, you’ll already have a great research question ready to go.)

Comments (0)

Keywords

Good keywords are essential to good research. It is a good idea to come up with a list of keywords before you even start researching.

Two simple questions can help get you started:
1. What do I know about my topic?
2. What do I want to know about my topic?

List out the answers to those questions using single words or simple phrases. These will become your keywords.

Be prepared to change these words as you begin your research. Sometimes you discover other words that you want to use instead of the words in your first list.

Comments (0)