Guide to the Research Process  

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The research process typically includes five broad steps. Most often you complete one step before moving onto the next. However, there may be times when you will need to return to a previous step or complete multiple steps simultaneously.

Step 1. Develop Your Topic
Select a Topic | Develop Research Questions | Identify Keywords

Step 2. Search Strategies
Find Background Information | Refine a Topic | Use Effective Search Strategies

Step 3. Find Credible and Relevant Sources
Find Books | Find Videos and Images | Find Scholarly Articles | Find Popular and Newspaper Articles | Find Websites

Step 4. Evaluate Information
Source Evauation | Primary vs. Secondary Sources | Types of Periodicals

Step 5. Comply with Legal, Ethical and Moral Standards
Plagiarism | Paraphrasing | Citation Styles | Works Cited Examples | Copyright

Recommended titles on the research process; available in Young Library.