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English152/Journalism180: The Horror! The Horror!

Introduction to Research

This guide walks you through the steps of the research process so you can stay organized in your research for quality, authoritative sources for your assignments.

The library is here to help you along the way! If you have a question about research, please reach out!

Any time you're doing research, please be sure to read your assignment carefully so you find the types of sources your instructor requires. Check with your instructor if you have questions about your assignment.

The Research Process

The Research Process: Information Need, Pre-Research, Research Question, Search Strategy, Search, Evaluate, Cite.

The Research Process

  1. Information need: What is your assignment asking you to find? 
  2. Pre-research: Choose a topic, learn more about it, narrow it down, find keywords.
  3. Research question: What is your assignment asking you to create?
  4. Search strategy: Where will you look for information?
  5. Search: Start with the main ideas of your topic or research question.
  6. Evaluate every source you find - for credibility and usefulness.
  7. Cite: You have found credible sources and answered your research question!