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The Research Process

The Research Process Overview


The research process consists of a few key steps you will take before writing your paper. First you will want to make sure you fully understand your writing assignment. You will want to pay specially attention to what is being asked of you in your paper. For example, the date the assignement is due, how many sources you need to use, what kind of sources you should use, the page length, and the formatting style (MLA, APA).

 

  • Next you may want to brainstorm ideas.
  • Pick a general topic that interests you. 
  • Create an outline or concept map.
  • Do some background research on the topic using several different library resources.
  • Narrow that topic down to a specific research question. 
    • Creating a research question is part of the research process!
  • Evaluate the information you find on websites, books, and databases. 
  • Write and revise your paper. Include references and work cited. 

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