Basic Steps in the Research Process Part I

An approach to creating a research paper that is both straightforward and productive is laid out in the following phases. It's possible that you'll need to reorder these steps depending on how knowledgeable you are with the subject matter and the difficulties that arise as you move forward.

Choosing and developing your theme is the first step.

Choosing a subject for investigation may prove to be the most difficult aspect of a research project. Given that this is the very first step in the process of writing a paper, ensuring that it is done correctly is of the utmost importance. The following are some suggestions to consider when choosing a topic:

Choose a subject to write about while adhering to the requirements outlined in the assignment. The majority of the time, your instructor will provide you with specific rules that outline what you can and cannot write about in the assignment. In the event that you fail to adhere to these principles in your work, your instructor may conclude that the paper you have suggested is inappropriate.

Choose a subject that piques your interest and educate yourself further on that subject. If you choose to write about a topic that is of personal interest to you, both the research and the actual writing of the paper will be more entertaining to you.

Choose a subject about which you can obtain a sufficient amount of knowledge to work with. Begin by conducting a preliminary search of information sources to ascertain whether or not the sources already available will satisfy your requirements. If you find an excessive amount of information, you might need to narrow your topic; on the other hand, if you find an insufficient amount of information, you could need to broaden your topic.

Create your own path. Your professor reads hundreds of research papers each year, and many of them are on the same topics (topics that were in the news at the time, contentious issues, and subjects for which there is a sufficient amount of information that is easy to acquire). Choose a topic that is fascinating and not commonly discussed to set yourself apart from the other students in your class.

Are you still unable to think of something to write about? Consult with your teacher for some pointers.

After you have decided what your topic will be, expressing it in the form of a question can be a helpful next step. You may, for instance, inquire about the reasons of the obesity pandemic in the American population by asking, "What are the causes of obesity in America?" if you are curious about the prevalence of obesity among the American populace. You will have an easier time determining the primary ideas or keywords that should be utilised in your investigation if you phrase your topic as an inquiry.

Step 2: Conduct a preliminary search for information Before commencing your research in earnest, conduct a preliminary search for information in order to establish the context of your research and to decide whether or not there is sufficient material available to meet your requirements. Do a search for your keywords using the appropriate titles found in the Reference collection of the library (such as dictionaries and encyclopaedias) as well as other sources such as our book catalogue, periodical databases, and internet search engines. Your lecture notes, textbooks, and the readings that are assigned for reserve can all provide you with further background information. In light of the resources at your disposal, you can conclude that it is important to make some adjustments to the focus of your issue.