Skip to Main Content

CHEM 112 - General Chemistry - Professor Bradbury: The Research Process

Your Chemistry Research Guide

Hello From Your Librarian!

This research guide was created for Professor Bradbury's CHEM 112 class to help you with your research assignments. It lists library resources you can use throughout the semester to help you get more information on the chemistry topics you're learning about in this class. The guide will be available all semester i your Canvas course and on the library website under Research Guides > Featured Guides. If you have any questions, I'm here to help. Chat or email me any time.

Getting Reliable Information for Your College Classes

Chemistry 112

What You Need to Know

Understanding Your Assignment

Before you begin looking for information you should make sure you understand your assignment. Some good questions are:

  • How many pages?
  • How many sources?
  • What kinds of sources?
    • Books
    • Articles
    • Websites
  • What format?

Your professor is your best resource to answer these questions.

image of student with her hand raised

Research Basics - Step by Step

Breaking Down The Research Process  

  research process image

The following outline gives a simple and effective strategy for finding information for a research paper and documenting the sources you find. Depending on your topic and your familiarity with the library, you may need to rearrange or recycle these steps. Adapt this outline to your needs. We are ready to help you at every step in your research.

  1. Choose a topic - or have one assigned
  2. Understand your topic
    • Background reading
    • Consider a main focus
    • Refine your topic
    • Make a list of your keywords and concepts
  3. Search Sources
    • Find Books
    • Find Articles
    • Find Websites
  4. Write your paper - Informative, Analytical, Argumentative, Critical
  5. Cite your sources

            College Level Research

            Your Librarian - Lorraine Gersitz

            Lorraine Gersitz

            Lorraine's Contact Info:
            Email: lgersitz@cerritos.edu

            Send me an email anytime.

            Available on chat Mon-Thu 2-8

            Available in the library most Tuesdays & Thursdays 3-6


            To chat with me, use the chat box below. If I'm offline, another librarian will help you if it's during our open hours.

            Cerritos College Library | 11110 Alondra Blvd., Norwalk, CA 90650 | 562-860-2451 | Reference ext 2425 | Circulation ext 2424