Research projects can be intimidating, but it helps to have a plan of action in place. Breaking it down by steps, even if you go back and forth between the steps a few times, can make the process seem much less overwhelming.
To the right is a basic list of the steps involved in a general research project or paper. Click on the steps to get some brief information about what that step entails for this assignment.
Before starting an assignment, make sure that you have read it through completely and asked your professor for clarification on any parts that may be confusing. Create a "plan of action" or "To Do" list with dates to make the assignment less overwhelming.
Assignment Details:
Noodle around online to explore the available themes. Assess what has been published on topics within each theme. Use the materials below to get started or do some of your own searches.
A good topic is….
The best sources of information for presearch are reference materials -- encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other source books -- because they provide a basic overview, summaries, and keywords or search terms for a topic. Open a reference source and type in one of the subjects that you found in the last step (or use the index or chapter list to scan for a print book). Keep your keywords general at this point and remember to capture any of the articles that help you formulate your research question or understand your theme better.
Recommended Reference Databases:
Click here for a video on finding online reference materials using the library databases.
Developing a research question can make the research process more efficient, by providing a direction for your project. A good research question will have more than one variable and solve a problem, controversy, or issue. Then brainstorm the micro questions that you will need to answer in order to fully answer your main research question.
For example--
Search statements are what you use in the search bar of different tools to search more efficiently. Search statements use the tool's own search mechanisms for an efficient search process.
To create a search statement, identify the main keywords in your research question or mini-question and join them together using the word "AND," then think of alternate words for each of your main concepts. Use your alternate words by swapping them out as needed or just include them by using the word "OR." AND tells the database that you want both of those terms in all of the results and the word OR tells the database that the items can have either word.
Now that you have a search statement, you need to think of the best places to use it, this is called creating a strategy. A search strategy helps you identify places to search based on your information needs.
To determine where to search, think of what types of information you need. Ask yourself the following questions:
Once you have answered these questions, think of what tool to use (eReference, Catalog, Databases, of Open Web).
Often these questions can be answered by your assignment prompt, so make sure that you know what type of sources you are required to use for the assignment.
Use materials to learn about a topic and to write or present about the topic. Use materials in your writing by citing directly using quotation marks, paraphrasing sentences or paragraphs; or by summarizing the entire item. Always make sure to use an in-text citation after each quote, paraphrase, or summary of an item, then have the full citation for the item you used in your Bibliography to avoid plagiarism.
Evaluate each resource that you come across, including websites, by asking the following questions:
Current? Is this current to my topic?
References? Does the source have references to support its content?
Authority? Does the author or entity support their statements with data or citations?
Appropriateness? Is the source quality, length, and type appropriate for your needs?
Purpose? Is this item written for the general public or for scholarly reasons? Is it overly biased or commercial?
For more information about evaluating resources click here to view a video tutorial.
This is where you combine your own ideas with what you have learned from the resources/materials you found on your topic to tell the story of the issue or topic. The answer to your overarching research question will become your thesis and the sources you found will help you build the foundation to support your thesis. A great way to start this step is to create an outline, using the information you gathered from the resources, of what you would like to write about or present on the topic.
A great resource for students having trouble writing, is our on-campus Tutorial Center.
You must cite the sources that you use to avoid plagiarism. All direct quotes, paraphrases, and summaries must be cited. In other words, all ideas or facts taken from some other writer, even though in your own words, must be cited. All creative works are copyrighted material, so it is PLAGIARISM if you use ideas from a resource without citing that resource
For each source collect…
*Not all sources will have all of these elements & some sources may need additional elements, but this should be enough to get you started in Noodletools or to at least be able to track down your source.
Use the library's subscription citation tool, Noodletools, to help you create, organize, and manage citations and bibliographies.
Click here for a video on getting started with Noodletools.
View our Citation Help Library Guide for more information on citing and the different styles