Steps
in the Research Process
1. Get Organized!
PLAN YOUR TIME WISELY
Planning
Assignments (Software courtesy of University of Minnesota)
UNDERSTAND THE ASSIGNMENT
Questions
to get you started
CHOOSE
A BROAD TOPIC OR AREA OF INTEREST
Need help
choosing a topic?
GET
AN OVERVIEW OF THE TOPIC
Where to find good overviews
NARROW THE TOPIC
Get focused!
WRITE A THESIS STATEMENT
OR STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Statement
of Purpose - Essential Question - Thesis Statement
Tips for
developing a thesis statement.
2. Gather
Information
Helpful
explanations of frequently confused concepts
CHOOSE
THE RIGHT SOURCES.
There
is no one perfect source. The best source for you depends
on your particular information need. This discussion can save
you time by helping you to match your infomation need with
one or more source types.
Locate the sources
Books
Journals/Periodicals
Electronic
Databases
Subscription
Databases by Discipline
Videos
The
World Wide Web
Current News
Evaluate the sources
3. Use the Information
Locate information
within the source
Organize,
Organize!
Take notes.
Avoid plagiarism!
Document
your sources
Create a bibliography or works cited
page using the citation style specified by your teacher for
this assignment: APA, MLA, Turabian, Chicago.
Create an outline
Write your paper,
prepare your oral report, put together your PowerPoint presentation.
Don't forget to proofread!
4. Take time to
reflect on your process and the product you produced
Are you satisfied with
your efforts and outcome? If not, be sure to review this
process thoroughly before your next assignment. Make an appointment
with an Instructional Librarian as soon as you receive your
assignment to make sure that you get off on the right track
next time.
GOOD GENERAL GUIDES FOR THE RESEARCH PROCESS
A+
Guide to Research and Writing (Internet Public Library)
OWL:
Online Writing Lab (Purdue University)
QuickStudy:
Library Research Guide (University of Minnesota Libraries)
Sources
(Dartmouth College) |
