Research

Define & Locate

Step 1: Define your research question and locate the sources you will need.

• Define the information problem

  • What am I trying to find out?  What do I need to know?

• Identify information needed

  • What information will give me answers?

• Determine all possible sources

  • What kinds of sources will have the information I need?

• Select the best types

  • What are the benefits and limitations of these sources?

• Locate sources

  • What keywords and search strategies will get me helpful results?

Evaluate & Analyze

Step 2: Evaluate your sources and analyze what you find out.

• Apply the C.R.A.A.P. test to evaluate the source

  • Current?  Relevant?  Authoritative?  Accurate?  Purpose?

• Analyze the information

  • What are its benefits?  Limitations?

Organize & Synthesize

Step 3: Organize information and synthesize (understand) how it all fits together to answer your question.

• Engage by reading, hearing, and experiencing.

  • Extract relevant information (Take good notes!)

• Organize information from various sources.

  • Read and understand and apply to your question/topic

Present Information (Ethically)

Step 4: Present the inforamtion purposefully and ehtically by citing sources.

• Determine the best way to present the information.

  • Consider your audience and purpose (essay?  podcast?  outline?  video?)

• Cite ideas and images that are not your own.

  • See Citation Guide for help.