The Research Process Mr. Burt—Southwest HS—El Centro, CA

Whenever you need to learn something, whether it’s a fact or an assignment for class, you have to do research. If you use this research process it will be much easier.

Getting Started - the Pre-Search What do I know? What do I need to know?  What are my essential questions?  Prior knowledge - what do I already know about this topic?  What do I need to know?  Do I need to refine my topic - narrow or broaden?

Getting Started - the Pre-Search Timeline: When do I need to have this done?  What is the due date for each stage of the project?  How much work time do I have in the library media center for research work?  What is my timeline for each stage of my research (outline, notes, rough draft, final product)?

Getting Started - the Pre-Search Plan your search strategy: How will I get this done?  Sources of information available?  Requirements for number and types of resources?  What will help me answer my essential questions?  Keywords related to my topic?  Method of presentation?  Type of presentation?  Audience?

The Research – Data Collection and Analysis Find your resources, collect your information, evaluate what you find, and use it in ways that make it your own.

The Research – Data Collection and Analysis Locate the resources.  Library catalogs  Books and print resources  Periodicals  Online databases  Web sites  Experts who know the subject

The Research – Data Collection and Analysis Gather your information: Collect what you can use.  Skim and scan to identify relevant information.  Record information that answers your questions.  Evaluate the content of your sources: Identify what is fact and what is opinion.  Is the information accurate?  Is the information biased?  Is the information current? Does this information answer your original questions?  Revise and redefine your questions, as needed.

The Research – Data Collection and Analysis Interpret the information: Make it your own.  Summarize information in your own words.  Organize and analyze the information in a new way.  Synthesize the information to create your unique ideas about the topic.  Draw conclusions based on the information.  Be sure to record titles, authors, publishers, dates and other relevant information for citation purposes.

Putting It All Together - the Post- Search Prepare your presentation and evaluate your results.

Putting It All Together - the Post-Search Communicate what you have learned.  Create your presentation.  Cite your sources appropriately. Check the MLA resources, on the Media Center’s “How-to” web page, for recommended formats.  Present the results of your research.

Putting It All Together - the Post-Search Evaluate what you did and assess the results of your research.  How well did you do?  Does the final product answer your research questions?  Did your end product effectively inform, persuade, or entertain your audience?  Was your research strategy appropriate and efficient?  How can you do better in the future?

References: Oregon School Library Information Systems, (2006). “The Research Process.” Retrieved January 11, 2006 from