Basic Steps in the Research Process

Basic Steps in the Research Process

1. Step 1: Identify and develop your topic

   • Selecting a topic can be the most challenging part of a research assignment. Since this is the very first step in writing a paper, it is vital that it be done correctly. Here

2. step 2 : Do a preliminary search for information

   • Before beginning your research in earnest, do a preliminary search to determine whether there is enough information out there for your needs and to set the context of your research

3. Step 3: Locate materials

   • With the direction of your research now clear to you, you can begin locating material on your topic.

4. Step 4: Evaluate your sources

   • See the CARS Checklist for Information Quality for tips on evaluating the authority and quality of the information you have located.

5. Step 5: Make notes

   • Consult the resources you have chosen and note the information that will be useful in your paper.

6. Step 6: Write your paper

   • Begin by organizing the information you have collected. The next step is the rough draft, wherein you get your ideas on paper in an unfinished fashion

7. Step 7: Cite your sources properly

   • Citing or documenting the sources used in your research serves two purposes: it gives proper credit to the authors of the materials used

8. Step 8: Proofread

   • The final step in the process is to proofread the paper you have created. Read through the text and check for any errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. M

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