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The Research Process: A Step-By-Step Guide

This guide will walk you through how to find a topic, collect information, and write your paper.

Research Process Overview

Step 1. Develop a topic
Select a Topic | Develop Research Questions | Identify Keywords | Find Background Information | Refine a Topic

Step 2. Locate information
Books & eBooks | Videos & Images | Articles | Websites | Grey Literature | Search Strategies

Step 3. Evaluate
Evaluati on Criteria | Primary vs Secondary | Databases vs. Internet | Types of Periodicals

Step 4: Write
Take Notes | Outline the Paper | Incorporate Source Material

Step 5: Cite
Plagiarism | APA Format | APA Examples | CSE Format | CSE Examples | MLA Format | MLA Examples | Annotated Bibliographies

Recommended Books

A Beginner's Guide to Scientific Method by Stephen S. Carey
Call Number: Q175 .C27 2004
The Indispensable Guide to Undergraduate Research by Anne H. Charity Hudley; Cheryl L. Dickter; Hannah A. Franz
Call Number: LB2331 .C48 2017
Lessons for a Scientific Literature Review by Randell K. Schmidt; Virginia K. Kowalski; Maureen M. Smyth
Call Number: Q225.5 .S347 2008

Recommended eBooks

Thanks to the Johnson & Wales University, Denver Campus Library and Columbus State Library for permission to use their research guides as templates for ours.