Basic Steps in the Research Process

Basic Steps in the Research Process

1. Step 1: Identify and develop your topic

   • Select a topic within the parameters set by the assignment
   • Select a topic of personal interest to you and learn more about it.
   • Select a topic for which you can find a manageable amount of information.
   • Be original with your topic .

2. Step 2 : Do a preliminary search for information

   • Conduct a preliminary search to determine if enough information is available.
   • Get supporting keywords

3. Step 3: Locate materials

   • With the direction of your research now clear to you, you can begin locating material on your topic.
     • If you are looking for books, do a subject search in the Alephcatalog.
     • Use the library's electronic periodical databases to find magazine and newspaper articles.
     • Use search engines (Google, Yahoo, etc.) and subject directories to locate materials on the Internet. C

4. Step 4: Write your paper

   • Begin to organize the information that has been collected
   • Make a draft of the document
   • After reviewing the draft multiple times, write the article cleanly

5. Step 5: Proofread

   • he final step in the process is to proofread the paper you have created
     • check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors
     • Make sure the sources you used are cited properly
     • Make sure the message that you want to get across to the reader has been thoroughly stated.