COM 351: Introduction to Communication Theory  

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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   Developing a good research question can sometimes be the most difficult part of the research process
Select a Topic | Develop Research Questions | Identify Keywords

Step 2. Search Strategies
Find Background Information | Refine Your Topic: Too Narrow? Too Broad?

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
Evaluate Sources | Primary v Secondary Sources | Types of Periodicals

Step 5. Comply with Legal, Ethical and Moral Standards
Plagiarism | Paraphrasing | Sample Annotated Bibliographies

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