What is Research?
In short, research is the process of finding information to solve problems and answer questions.
We use the research process to help us learn. Many think you only have to do research in intense science classes or for an ENG 112 research paper; but you have to do research in your everyday life as well. Understanding the research process is vital to not only be a successful student, but a successful individual in the workforce.
The research process begins the moment you must create your research question or thesis statement. The process of picking a topic is research. Take a look at this short video from NCSU Libraries on how picking your topic is research.
The Research Paper Timeline
Giving appropriate time to do your research is vital. Here is a recommended timeline from Hunt's "The Handy English Grammar Answer Book."
Week 1
Select a preliminary research topic.
Articulate starting questions.
Begin background research.
Schedule a time frame.
Begin to focus the topic.
Week 2
Build a working bibliography by using online library catalogs, databases, and the Internet.
Begin to locate library and Internet sources.
Week 3
Read, evaluate, and take notes on sources.
Print out or save to a file information from the Internet.
Write down complete bibliographical information and make note of URLs.
Week 4
Conduct any primary research.
Complete the reading, evaluation, and paraphrasing of sources.
Identify gaps in the research and find more sources if necessary.
Week 5
Begin preliminary writing by summarizing key information.
Brainstorm on the topic and direction for the paper's argument.
Write a few possible thesis statements.
Week 6
Write a working thesis statement.
Sketch an outline of the paper.
Find more sources as needed to support the thesis.
Week 7
Write a rough draft.
Keep careful track of sources through accurate citations, taking care to distinguish quotations and paraphrases.
Write a References or Works Cited list.
Week 8
Revise and edit the rough draft.
Spell-check and check sentence structure and usage for correctness.
Check documentation of sources and in-text citations.
Solicit peer review of the draft.
Revise according to any peer reviews or instructor comments.