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ENG152 - Keywords, Searching & Databases

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!

OSU Research Process Graphic

flow chart diagram with map of research process