Geology of the National Parks

This guide will take you through the research process so you can stay organized as you search for a variety of quality, authoritative sources for your National Parks project. This process will help keep you organized as you start your research all the way through to the completion of your paper.

Research can be overwhelming and frustrating. It rarely goes in a straight line or in perfect order as the steps of the research process may suggest. The library is here to help you along the way! If you have a question about research, you can schedule an appointment with any of your MCC librarians.

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

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!