Think about the last time you were making a decision about buying a cell phone, car or leasing an apartment. What steps did you go through when making the decision?
Using the steps of The Research Process and the example of buying a new phone, let's review the skills you already have!
Step 1: Define the topic & Step 2: Narrow the topic (I need to buy a new cell phone)
Step 3: Gather background information (Start searching a Google for reviews of cell phones, decide whether to buy a ios or android, etc.)
Step 4: Create a research question (where can I purchase the phone, for the best price and with the best plan for my needs?)
Step 5: Develop a working thesis statement (I need to buy an android phone for under $100 or free with a 2 year phone plan that covers the area I live in Normal, IL)
Step 6: Find and evaluate sources (Search for online stores or retail stores and compare)
Step 7: Cite sources & Step 8: Write the paper (Decide on where to purchase & get my new phone)
These pages will focus on different points in the research process that can be challenging: the places where you might get stuck and how to get un-stuck so you can finish your research! Let's get started with an overview of the research process.
The research process has lots of steps and sometimes we end up moving through each of the steps in more of a squiggle rather than a straight line, repeating steps or revising our topic and research until we get to the point of writing our paper.
Review the graphic or watch the video below.
The Research Process graphic. Authored by: Kim Louie for Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution
Step 1: Define the topic
Step 2: Narrow the topic
Step 3: Gather background information
Step 4: Create a research question
Step 5: Develop a working thesis statement
Step 6: Find and evaluate sources
Step 7: Cite sources
Step 8: Write the paper
Want to watch a video overview instead? Here is a great video that focuses on the research process in 7 steps.
George Fox University Libraries https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJnuoBz8QFoAPzloe4Z7QHA