Skip to Main Content
QUICK LINKS
Book Lists (Under Tuition and Fees)
Bookstore
Canvas
Email
Student Gateway
LIBRARY HOME
Research Process: A Step-By-Step Guide
Get Started
Step 1: Develop a Topic
1a. Select a Topic
1b. Develop Research Questions
1c. Identify Keywords
1d. Find Background Information
Sources of Background Information
Purpose of Background Research
1e. Refine a Topic
Step 2: Locate Information
2a. Books & E-Books
2b. Videos & Images
2c. Articles
2d. Websites
2e. Grey Literature
2f. Search Strategies
Step 3: Evaluate
3a. Evaluate Sources
3b. Primary vs. Secondary
3c. Types of Periodicals
Step 4: Write
4a. Take Notes
4b. Outline the Paper
4c. Incorporate Source Material
Step 5: Cite
5a. Avoid Plagiarism
5b. APA Formatting
5c. APA Citation Examples
5d. Annotated Bibliographies
Sources of Background Information
Background information can be found in:
textbooks
dictionaries
general encyclopedias
subject-specific encyclopedias
article databases
<<
Previous:
1c. Identify Keywords
Next:
1e. Refine a Topic >>