Basic Research Steps

The purpose of this page is to list and provide information on the steps typically undertaken between the time an assignment is received to the time it is handed in. Not all of these steps are applicable to all assignments, though, and some assignments require steps other than those listed here. The links point to short instructional materials prepared at UNI and other university libraries and writing centers around the U.S.

	Make sure you understand the assignment, when it is due, & what you have to do to get a good grade
	Understanding Assignments [1] and Plagiarism [2]
	Select a topic, obtain background information, and broaden or narrow as necessary
	Defining, Refining, and Developing a Topic [3]- "history of the automobile" example Background Information [4] How to Narrow or Broaden Your Topic [5]
	Write a tentative thesis statement: What are you trying to say?
	How to Write a Thesis Statement [6] Creating a Thesis Statement: Thesis Statement Examples [7]
	Develop a search strategy: What kinds of sources do you need, how will you find them?
	Develop a Search Strategy [8] Use Business and Economics Vocabulary to Create Appropriate Keyword and Subject Searches [9] Help! Ask Us! at Rod Library [10] or help widget on Business Portal
	Find and evaluate books; take careful notes, keep track of sources for reference list
	QuickStudy: Keeping Records of Your Search [11]and Citing Sources [12] Critical Evaluation of Information Sources [13] Rod Library UNISTAR Keyword search [14]
	Find and evaluate articles from academic journals, trade journals, and business and economics newspapers and magazines; take careful notes, keep track of sources for reference list
	Journals or Magazine? Recognizing the Differences [15] QuickStudy: Keeping Records of Your Search [11]and Citing Sources [12] Rod Library Business Portal [16] lists major business and economics search tools for finding articles Subjects A-Z [17] (Panther Prowler) for multi-database searching
	Find and evaluate web sites; take careful notes, keep track of sources for reference list
	Critical Evaluation of Information Sources [13] QuickStudy: Keeping Records of Your Search [11]and Citing Sources [12] Use Recommended Websites or Web Search Tools [18]
	Write an outline or plan for your paper's overall structure
	Using Outlines [19] UNI Writing Center Services [20] CBA Written Communication Topics and Resources [21]
	Write the first draft
	Write Your First Draft [22] UNI Writing Center Services [20]
	Conduct additional research as needed, identify and fix gaps
	QuickStudy: Evaluating Sources [23]; consider whether sources are appropriate Identify Statistical Data Conflicts and Gaps [24] Help! Ask Us! at Rod Library [10] or help widget on Business Portal
	Revise and rewrite
	Revision Checklist [25] UNI Writing Center Services [20]
	Put paper in final form to hand in
	Follow instructor directions as to format CBA Written Communication Topics and Resources [21] Proofreading Your Writing [26] Strategies for Improving Sentence Clarity [27] Citing Sources [28]

Last updated: Nov. 12, 2010