The Essential Steps of the Research Process

Conducting research can feel like an overwhelming process, especially when you’re just starting out. With so many options and sources to sort through, it’s easy to get lost along the way. However, following a step-by-step approach can help make the research process more manageable. In this article, we’ll break down the key steps you should take when conducting any type of research project.

Step 1: Formulate Your Research Question

The first and most important step is to develop your research question. This provides the foundation and focus for your entire project.

Start by brainstorming broad topic ideas related to your general area of interest. Then begin narrowing down your ideas to a specific well-defined research problem that needs to be addressed. Make sure your question is concise, arguable and significant in your field.

Ask open-ended questions starting with

• What…
• Why…
• How…

For example for a project related to educational technology. your question might be “What are the most effective methods for using technology to improve student engagement in large college lectures?”

Spend time refining and focusing your question. It will drive your research moving forward.

Step 2: Get Background Information

Now that you have a research question, the next step is gathering background information to familiarize yourself with the topic.

Start by looking for high-level overviews in encyclopedias, textbooks, or online summaries. This provides context about main ideas, theories, definitions, and previous research related to your topic.

At this stage, cast a wide net. Look for sources that give a broad introduction and overview of your field. Focus on becoming knowledgeable before diving into specifics.

Step 3: Refine Your Search Topic

Use the background information to further refine and narrow your research question. The goal is to develop a focused, well-defined topic that has not yet been fully addressed in prior research.

To refine your topic:

• Review your background sources to identify gaps, debates, or unresolved issues related to your question.

• Determine specific variables, concepts, theories, or ideas you want to focus on.

For example, based on initial background reading, you might narrow your technology and engagement question to focus specifically on “The efficacy of student response systems on engagement in large college lectures.”

Your refined search topic will help you conduct more targeted research moving forward.

Step 4: Consider Your Resource Options

Now it’s time to determine the types of sources you’ll use to conduct your focused research.

Start by listing your options, such as:

• Academic journals – Provide in-depth, peer-reviewed research on narrowly focused topics. These are crucial for understanding current findings in your field.

• Books – Give a comprehensive overview of a topic. Useful for background, foundations, and seminal works related to your research question.

• Primary sources – Include original studies, surveys, interviews, historical documents, and data. Help provide first-hand information and evidence related to your topic.

• Websites – Useful for general information and statistical data from reputable organizations. Double check that sites are credible and reliable.

Consider the benefits of each source type for addressing your unique research problem. Decide which ones are most appropriate for your project.

Step 5: Select the Appropriate Research Tools

Next, determine which research tools and databases you’ll use to locate your sources. Consider options like:

• Library catalog – Search for print and electronic books and materials in your university library collection.

• Academic databases – Dig into millions of peer-reviewed and scholarly journal articles, like JSTOR and ProQuest.

• Google Scholar – Look for scholarly books, articles, theses, and abstracts across all academic disciplines and sources.

• Subject-specific databases – Search databases focused on a particular academic field or specialty.

• Website search – Use tools like Google to locate credible websites. Use selective keywords and verified sites.

Select databases that align with your academic subject and specialized research topic. This will yield more targeted, relevant results.

Step 6: Use Your Selected Tools to Conduct Searches

Now begin searching your selected tools and databases using keywords and controlled vocabulary terms related to your research question.

Here are a few tips for effective searching:

• Use relevant keywords from your focused research topic. Try various combinations and synonyms.

• Take advantage of advanced search features to filter by date, source type, subject terms, author, etc.

• Use controlled vocabulary like subject headings to find variations on your search concept.

• Start broad then narrow down your results using limiters and filters.

• Save and organize your search strategies as you go.

Refine your searches until you locate sources that specifically address your research problem. Evaluate results for credibility, accuracy, and relevance as you go.

Step 7: Locate and Retrieve Your Source Materials

As you conduct your searches, begin retrieving the full-text sources that look promising for your research project.

If retrieving physical books or print materials, locate items on your library shelves or via interlibrary loan services.

For electronic sources:

• Download, save, and organize digital copies of sources.

• Keep track of full bibliographic information and database links.

• Manage sources using citation management tools like EndNote, Zotero, or RefWorks.

Take time to access and compile the specific sources you’ll need, based on critical evaluation of your search results.

Step 8: Analyze and Synthesize Your Source Materials

Now comes the time to dive into your assembled resources. Begin actively reading, analyzing, and taking notes on your sources:

• Identify key findings, theories, results, and claims related to your research question.

• Outline arguments, gaps in research, conflicting ideas, and open debates.

• Look for trends and relationships between sources. Determine areas of agreement and opposition.

• Synthesize connections between sources to gain new insights.

• Think critically about credibility, methodology, bias, and validity of sources.

Your goal is to thoroughly evaluate your research materials to determine how they fit into and inform your study. Allow enough time in your process for this in-depth analysis.

By systematically working through each step of the research process, you can take control of a project that initially seemed vague and overwhelming. Follow this roadmap and you’ll be on your way to finding, evaluating, and analyzing the high-quality sources needed to conduct an effective research project in any field.