The research process can usually be broken into six steps.
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Every research project starts with gathering basic information on a potential topic. Try to select a topic that will hold your attention. Use this stage of the research process to find an overview of the topic and its main concepts or issues.
Once you've selected a topic, you will need to develop it to make sure it has an appropriate scope. Think about what specifically interests you about the topic. Is there a particular problem or demographic that you'd like to address?
Information can come from anywhere: social media, blogs, books, academic journal articles, magazine or newspaper articles, and more. The types of information you need depend on the question you are trying to answer.
The SLCC Library provides FREE access to millions of journal, magazine, and newspaper articles, along with books, streaming films, and more. For more information on using these resources, explore the "Use Library Resources" and "Best-Bet STEM Resources" sections of this guide.
Evaluating sources is not a clear-cut process. This is partially due to differing contexts for using information. Citing a Facebook post may be out of place in a research paper on the science behind climate change. However, real-world examples found on social media might be useful in a presentation on the experiences of climate refugees. Get into the practice of thinking critically about all information that you encounter, regardless of where you find it.
Using sources in your work allows you to strengthen it with credible information, identify contributions to research, and point your readers toward more information on your topic. When you paraphrase or quote sources, you will want to cite them. For citation assistance, ask a librarian or visit the SLCC Student Writing and Reading Center.
Every paper you write or project you complete creates new knowledge that you can share with others.
You likely will use these six steps whenever you complete a project that relies on outside resources. For example, when you put together a research paper, case study, or presentation. As you use these steps, you will likely realize that the actual research process is not as straightforward as it seems. In fact, it is often not a linear process at all! Sometimes you’ll do steps out of order or need to revisit earlier steps.
Research is messy, but it can also be an enjoyable "treasure hunt" too!
If you want to learn more about the research process, you may take one of the tutorials linked below. Each further explores the six basic steps of the research process. For additional questions or assistance, please contact the Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Librarian.
