Skip Navigation
Skip to Menu Toggle Button
Online Guide to Writing and Research

The Research Process

Research Resources

Where Are Research Resources Found?

Human Resources

Most professors are well versed in research methods and may be invaluable human resources as you pursue your assignment. They are familiar with the kinds of sources you will need to consult and, as subject-matter experts, they can guide your research by recommending readings, outside sources, and even topics and subjects related to your research inquiry of which you may be unaware. They can help you address issues of importance in your area of study and avoid researching nonproductive areas.  

Among the most useful of tools for conducting research with human resources are interviews, questionnaires, and surveys.  

An Example and Resource Link

For example, your biology professor might tell you that conducting library research on cures for AIDS will prove inconclusive and recommend that you focus on two or more recent developments in the search for a cure, starting with representative articles from the Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine. This kind of advice can help you focus your research in areas that are productive, authoritative, and up-to-date, saving you hours of valuable time. 

In addition to your professor, librarians are invaluable resources for your research.  Look here for more information: UMGC Ask a Librarian

 

Key Takeaways

  • Human resources are people who have skills and knowledge relevant to your topic.


Mailing Address: 3501 University Blvd. East, Adelphi, MD 20783
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. © 2022 UMGC.
All links to external sites were verified at the time of publication. UMGC is not responsible for the validity or integrity of information located at external sites.

Table of Contents: Online Guide to Writing