General Research Tips
Looking for our DATABASE LINKS? Click here. Read below to learn more about the RESEARCH PROCESS!
Review the Process
Research is a cycle and it is usually non-linear. You may need to backtrack as you learn more or things change. This image might give you a sense of the stages and what useful questions to consider along the way:
Research is a cycle and it is usually non-linear. You may need to backtrack as you learn more or things change. This image might give you a sense of the stages and what useful questions to consider along the way:
Consider your Topic
Before starting research, it's important to make sure you understand the assignment carefully. This is a good time to ask your teacher and clarify any confusion (not the night before!). You might consider creating a mind-map with what you currently know about your topic. This may help you identify sub-topics that interest you and also holes in your information. Here's an example:
Before starting research, it's important to make sure you understand the assignment carefully. This is a good time to ask your teacher and clarify any confusion (not the night before!). You might consider creating a mind-map with what you currently know about your topic. This may help you identify sub-topics that interest you and also holes in your information. Here's an example:
Draft a Research Question
If you have flexibility in designing your research question, design a question that is answerable but not simply a matter of learning a fact or two. A good research question can be answered in multiple ways. Be sure to choose something that interests you--you'll be working with this topic for some time.
Here's a short PDF guide on narrowing your research question, from the University of Indiana.
Here's a worksheet you can use to refine your research guide, from the Empire State Information Skills Benchmarks.
Below is a video from George Mason University that gives examples of overly broad and then revised research questions. Note: there is no sound in the video. Video was originally located here.
If you have flexibility in designing your research question, design a question that is answerable but not simply a matter of learning a fact or two. A good research question can be answered in multiple ways. Be sure to choose something that interests you--you'll be working with this topic for some time.
Here's a short PDF guide on narrowing your research question, from the University of Indiana.
Here's a worksheet you can use to refine your research guide, from the Empire State Information Skills Benchmarks.
Below is a video from George Mason University that gives examples of overly broad and then revised research questions. Note: there is no sound in the video. Video was originally located here.