Research Process - Overview

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.

Wikipedia

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See Where to find sources and How to search

Think of it like a healthy diet. You want a variety of high quality sources going into your research.

Store your sources in Zotero as you go. This will save you a lot of time and help prevent accidental plagiarism.

Once you have a variety of sources (or as you're collecting them), it's time to evaluate them. There are several models and checklists for guiding researchers through the evaluation process, but all are asking the same questions.

ABC Checklist

Accuracy: Is the informationpublication correctpeer-reviewed? and current?

• When wasDoes the informationauthor publishedcite ortheir posted?sources clearly?
• HasIdentify thebias: information been revised or updated?
• Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work?
• If it's an online source, are the links working and up-to-date?

Bias: Is the information fair and objective?

• What is the purpose of the information?publication, Isand itwhat perspectives might be missing?
• Apply a framework: Use established methods like the CRAAP test or the SIFT method to inform,evaluate totexts teach, to sell, to entertain?
• Do the authors or sponsors make their intention or purpose clear?
• Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda?
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?

Credibility: Is this source believable and trustworthy?

• Who is the author, publisher, source, or sponsor? 
• What are the author's credentials or organisational affiliations?
• Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information such as a publisher or e-mail address?
• What kind of reputation does the author, publisher, or website have? Search the Internet to see what other credible sources have to say about the resource that you are evaluating.systematically.

IfRead more: How to evaluate academic sources

Step 5: Read, Manage, and Synthesize

Once you can'thave findyour ansources, authoryou orneed organisationto listed,extract especiallythe onrelevant information and organise it so you can build your own argument.

• Read strategically: Read the abstract, introduction, and conclusion first to determine if a website,paper youis shouldhighly move on and look for another source. 

  This diagram illustrates the concept of authority, placing a number of sources on the spectrum from popularrelevant to scholarly.

  
  

  

  _{Adapted from My Learning Essentials resources developed by the University of Manchester Library and licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.}

While doing your research you will be making connections and synthesizing what you are learning. Some people find it useful to make "idea cards" or notes in which they write out the ideas and perceptions they are developing about their topic.

How to Work with Notes

1. After you take notes, re-read them.question.
2. ThenTake reorganisethematic themnotes: by putting similar information together. Working with your notes involves re-grouping them by topic instead of by source. Re-groupGroup your notes by re-shufflingtheme or concept rather than just by source. This makes it easier to write a coherent literature review.
3. Manage your indexdata: cardsUse orcitation management software to save PDFs, organise notes, and generate bibliographies automatically.

Tip: The library strongly recommends using Zotero to manage your sources. See our guide on Citation Management Software.

Read more: Read, Manage, and Synthesize

Step 6: Write and Cite

Writing is how you enter the academic conversation. It requires integrating your sources accurately, ethically, and persuasively.

• Structure your argument: Outline your introduction, body paragraphs (supported by color-codingevidence), orand usingconclusion.
symbols
• Integrate sources: Use direct quotes sparingly. Prefer paraphrasing to code notes in a notebook.
• Review the topics of your newly-grouped notes. If the topics do not answer your research question or support your working thesis directly, you may need to do additional research or re-think your original research.
• During this process you may finddemonstrate that you havefully taken notes that do not answer your research question or support your working thesis directly. Don't be afraid to throw them away.

It may have struck you that you just read a lot of "re" words: re-read, reorganise, re-group, re-shuffle, re-think. That's right; working with your notes essentially means going back and reviewing how this "new" information fits with your own thoughts aboutunderstand the topic or issue of the research.

Grouping your notes should enable you to outline the major sections and then the paragraphs of your research paper.

Source

• For some research projects, you may have data that you have collected. Now is the time to compile and evaluate that data.

Writing your paper is where you bring together all the research, analysis, and planning you've done so far. This step involves narrowing your topic into a focused research question, structuring your argument, integrating evidence effectively, and ensuring clarity and flow in your writing.

Additional Tips for Writing Success

1. Start early—writing takes time to revise and refine.
2. Break down writing into manageable tasks (e.g., draft one section at a time).
3. Read aloud—this helps identify awkward phrasing or errors in flow.
4. Seek feedback—ask peers or instructors to review drafts for clarity and coherence.

By following these steps, you can craft a well-organized paper that effectively communicates your research findings and arguments.

• Refine your original topic into a clear, specific research question or thesis statement.
• Consider:
  • Is the research question feasible within the available timeframe and resources?
  • Is the question too broad or too narrow? Strike a balance to ensure depth without overwhelming scope.
• A well-crafted research question or thesis will guide the direction of your paper and help you stay focused.

A strong structure is essential for presenting your argument logically and persuasively. Most academic papers follow this general structure:

Introduction

• Introduce the topic and explain why it is important (exigence).
• Provide necessary background information to contextualize your research.
• Present your thesis statement—a concise summary of your main argument or research focus.

Body Paragraphs

• Divide the body into logical paragraphs, each focusing on one central idea.
• Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that introduces its theme.
• Develop the paragraph with evidence (e.g., data, quotes, examples) and explain how it supports your thesis.
• Use transitions to maintain logical flow between paragraphs and sections.
• Address counterarguments where relevant, demonstrating why they do not undermine your thesis.

Conclusion

• Summarize your main points and restate the significance of your argument.
• Revisit your thesis in light of the evidence provided but avoid introducing new information.
• Optionally, suggest areas for future research or implications of your findings.

Research writing is a conversation between your ideas and those of others. Use sources to support, challenge, or contextualize your arguments while maintaining your own voice.

1. Introduce: Briefly describe the source (e.g., author credentials, title) to provide context for its relevance.
2. Integrate: Use direct quotes, paraphrases, or summaries as appropriate:
   • Quotations emphasize credibility by using an author’s exact words.
   • Paraphrasing highlights specific points in your own words.
   • Summarizing condenses larger ideas into brief overviews.
3. Connect: Explain how the source supports or relates to your argument.material.
4. Cite correctly:: Give proper credit to authors usingApply the required citation style (e.g., APA for FoB, Chicago for FoAD).

Effective academic writing is clear, concise, and logically organized:

• Signposting: Use words like "however," "therefore," "in contrast," or "moreover" to guide readers through transitions in ideas.
• Consistency: Stick with consistent terminology for key concepts throughout the paper to avoid confusion.
• Simplicity: Avoid overly complex sentences or jargon unless necessary; aim for precisionplagiarism and readability.
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