The Steps in the Research Process

There are some basic steps in any research process, but you might repeat steps, or do some steps at the same time. Below is a sample research process that covers all the basic steps involved.

Step 1: Clearly identify your research need (like a research paper or assignment)

Step 2: Choose a topic that interests you to research (or use a topic assigned by an instructor)

Step 3: Choose words that describe your topic (these are called keywords)

Step 4: Find  general background information in reference books, encyclopedias, or on the Internet

Step 5: Use your keywords in the library catalog to find books and other library materials

Step 6: Use your keywords in article databases and indexes to find articles in periodicals (magazines, newspapers, journals)

Step 7: Search your keywords on Internet search engines for web sites

Step 8: Print, save or copy pages or articles that look most interesting to you

Step 9: Read and evaluate the material you have copied or printed. Take notes on the information you determine to be of high quality. If the books or articles have bibliographies, or lists of references, look through them to see if there are other interesting sources

Step 10:  Repeat the process as you develop new questions from your reading and writing