MS - The Steps to Completing a Research Assignment Research Guide: The Steps
“Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose.”Zora Neale Hurston
Understand Your Assignment, Step 1
Know what you are being asked to do. Understand the rubric.
Be able to restate the research question in your own words.This is different than the rubric. The question you are asked is what you will be answering in your research.
Always have your assignment next to you when you are working.
Take Notes, Step 4
Remember to record the works cited information before you begin taking notes.
Only record information that relates to your topic, but be sure to take enough notes.
Use bullet point summaries of the information you need.
Locate Useful Information, Step 2
What type of source do I need and where will I find it?
book/ library catalog
database/ research guide
What are the key words and phrases I will use when conducting my search?
keep jotting down ideas as your research progresses
Organize Your Notes, Step 5
Look for common themes and different ways to organize your thoughts.
Make certain you have facts to support your opinions.
Choose Your Resources, Step 3
Remember 5 W’s of choosing an online source.
Who are the authors/publishers, are they reliable?
What is the relevance of this information to my topic?
When was this information published? Is it current?
Where does this source gets its information, does it have citations?
Why does this source exist?
In a book:
Check for specific topics in the Index and Table of Contents.
