How to make a research

HOW TO MAKE RESEARCH?

RESEARCH

the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.

1

Identify and develop your topic

2

Do a preliminary search for information

3

Locate materials

4

5

Evaluate your sources

6

Make notes

Write your paper

7

Cite your sources properly

8

Proofread

Research Process Overview

Select a topic within the parameters set by the assignment.

Step 1: Identify and develop your topic

Select a topic of personal interest to you and learn more about it.

Select a topic for which you can find a manageable amount of information.

Selecting a topic can be the most challenging part of a research assignment. Here are some tips for selecting a topic:

Be original. Stand out from your classmates by selecting an interesting and off-the-beaten-path topic.

Be original. Stand out from your classmates by selecting an interesting and off-the-beaten-path topic.

Once you have identified your topic, it may help to state it as a question.

Step 2 : Do a preliminary search for information

Before beginning your research in earnest, do a preliminary search to determine whether there is enough information out there for your needs and to set the context of your research. Look up your keywords in the appropriate titles in the library's Reference collection (such as encyclopedias and dictionaries) and in other sources such as our catalog of books, periodical databases, and Internet search engines. Additional background information may be found in your lecture notes, textbooks, and reserve readings. You may find it necessary to adjust the focus of your topic in light of the resources available to you.

Step 3: Locate materials

With the direction of your research now clear to you, you can begin locating material on your topic.

Use the library's electronic periodical databases to find magazine and newspaper articles. Choose the databases and formats best suited to your particular topic. Many of the articles in the databases are available in full-text format.

Use search engines ( Google , Yahoo , etc.) and subject directories to locate materials on the Internet. Check the Internet Resources section of the NHCC Library web site for helpful subject links.

Explain the parameters of your study here.

Step 4: Evaluate your sources

See the CARS Checklist for Information Quality for tips on evaluating the authority and quality of the information you have located. Your instructor expects that you will provide credible, truthful, and reliable information and you have every right to expect that the sources you use are providing the same. This step is especially important when using Internet resources, many of which are regarded as less than reliable.

Step 5: Make notes

Consult the resources you have chosen and note the information that will be useful in your paper. Be sure to document all the sources you consult, even if you there is a chance you may not use that particular source. The author, title, publisher, URL, and other information will be needed later when creating a bibliography.

Step 6: Write your paper

Begin by organizing the information you have collected. The next step is the rough draft, wherein you get your ideas on paper in an unfinished fashion. This step will help you organize your ideas and determine the form your final paper will take. After this, you will revise the draft as many times as you think necessary to create a final product to turn in to your instructor.

Step 7: Cite your sources properly

Give credit where credit is due; cite your sources.

Citing or documenting the sources used in your research serves two purposes: it gives proper credit to the authors of the materials used, and it allows those who are reading your work to duplicate your research and locate the sources that you have listed as references.

Step 8: Proofread

Additional research tips:

The final step in the process is to proofread the paper you have created. Read through the text and check for any errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Make sure the sources you used are cited properly. Make sure the message that you want to get across to the reader has been thoroughly stated.

Work from the general to the specific -- find background information first, then use more specific sources.

Don't forget print sources - many times print materials are more easily accessed and every bit as helpful as online resources,

If you have questions about the assignment, ask your instructor.