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Overview

It's a good idea to keep detailed research notes throughout the process. This can often save lots of time in the end.

Step 1: Identify your topic

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Some questions to get you started

  • With what topics are you already familiar?
  • In what topics do you have a genuine interest?
  • In what topics do you already have a strong opinion; positive or negative?

Still can't think of a topic?

Consider:

  • Brainstorming; write down any ideas that come to mind
  • Talking with lecturers
  • Talking with classmates
  • Consulting sources like general and subject specific encyclopaedias (ahem, Wikipedia), handbooks, and textbooks for ideas
  • Browsing recent issues of periodicals for current issues
Wikipedia: The Good and the Not So Good

Wikipedia is a great place to start your research, but not a great place to end it. 

Strengths of Wikipedia

  • Wikipedia is updated frequently. New information can be, and often is, added to the site within minutes. Due to editorial limitations, scholarly encyclopaedias are usually updated annually. 

  • Because Wikipedia crowd sourced, there is the potential for a broader authorship than is found in academic publications. 

  • Citations in Wikipedia offer a wider array of materials, including articles and resources that are available for free and online.

Weaknesses of Wikipedia

  • Editors on Wikipedia are not necessarily experts. Authorship on Wikipedia is often anonymous or obscured.

  • Articles are always changing, making them difficult to cite in your research. An article you read today, may look quite different tomorrow.

  • Articles can be vandalised, providing wildly inaccurate information.


Consider your assignment

Before you begin, make sure you understand your assignment and its requirements.

Consider:

  • Length; How many words are required?
  • Date Due; When is the paper due?
  • Additional requirements; Are there any specific requirements for the assignment?

Step 2: Find background information

Use your textbook, class notes, reference books, Wikipedia, and/or a broad Google search to find information about the events, places, people and jargon associated with your topic.

  • Identify keywords related to your topic.
  • Search encyclopaedia and other general sources.
  • Collect additional keywords that you can use to search later.
Encyclopaedia Britannica Online / Academic Edition
Wikipedia

Step 3: Search for your sources

Step 4: Evaluate what you’ve found

  • CARS Checklist
    • Credibility: Is this source believable and trustworthy?
    • Accuracy: Is the information correct and current?
    • Reasonableness: Is the information fair and objective?
    • Support: Is the information verifiable?

Step 5: Make notes

Step 6: Write your paper

  • Narrow your original topic into a research question.
  • Consider:
    • Is the research question researchable in terms of the available timeframe and required resources?
    • Is the research question too broad or too narrow?

Step 7: Cite your sources

  • Gives credit to the authors and materials you’ve used
  • Provides your writing with credibility

Step 8: Proofread