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How to Conduct Academic Research

This guide provides an introduction to the research process.

Overview

This guide will assist you through the various steps of the research process, including selecting a topic, locating information, finding keywords, searching library resources, and evaluating and citing sources. 

If you are having trouble at any point during the research process or have any questions, please contact a SC4 librarian for help!

 

The SC4 Writing Center and Online Writing Lab are also good resources for help with research and writing.

 

The Research Process

 

 

research is an ongoing process

 

Library_Research infographic by UBC Learning Commons is licensed under 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0).

Step by Step through the Research Process

 

  1. Choose your topic. See the tab Selecting a Topic for more guidance.
  2. Perform background research. Check encyclopedias, dictionaries, newspapers, and trustworthy internet sources. 
  3. Think about your research question. This is usually the overall question you'll be answering with your research paper. 
  4. Search for resources. Once you've identified your main subject, you can begin to look for specific sources on the topic, either by using the databases or through OneSearch.
  5. Organize your research. After you've done your research and gathered your sources, using a bibliography software like Refworks can be useful in keeping track of your research and your chosen sources.
  6. Re-evaluate your research question and evaluate your sources. If you've found too much or too little information for your topic, it may be time to re-evaluate and perhaps alter your topic. 
  7. Collect more research (if needed). If you need more or different sources, check out the Search Strategies tab for help on effective searching, or ask a librarian.
  8. Combine your research sources. Stay focused on your research question and think about how all your research fits together.
  9. Write that paper! If you've kept good notes, made sure to create an outline, and done your research, writing your paper should be fairly straightforward. If you have any questions or problems, the Writing Center, a librarian, or your instructor can help.

 

 

 

Adapted from Fanning, D.L. (2012). Research and stuff: Tools and strategies for the beginning academic researcher. In C.T. Jordan (Ed.), Open 2010: A composition textbook for WRTG 2010 at the University of Utah. Salt Lake City, UT: University Writing Program, University of Utah and http://libguides.apsu.edu/How-to/researchprocess.

Research can be a tricky, sometimes confusing process. If you're stuck, lost, or just have a question, please contact us!

 

Ask the Library

24/7 Chat with a Librarian

Email the Library

Library Research Guides

RefWorks

Text a Librarian @ 810-515-7343

Tutorials & Videos

Search the Library

Use the OneSearch tool to search for books, articles, movies and more.

Related Research Guides