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Research Made Simple
Research Made Simple
The 4-Step Research Cycle:
The 4-Step Research Cycle:
EXPLORE: Broaden your understanding of your topic and do background reading.
FOCUS: Narrow your topic into a specific research question.
GATHER: Search library databases and vetted web sources.
SYNTHESIZE & CITE: Integrate findings into your outline and document your sources.
PRO TIP: Research is iterative. If your search yields O results, adjust your search terms - do not abandon the topic!
Developing a Research Question
Developing a Research Question
What makes a good research question?
What makes a good research question?
Characteristics of a Good Question:
Characteristics of a Good Question:
Invites thoughtful consideration rather than mere recall.
Arises from genuine curiosity and confusion.
Encourages new perspectives.
Promotes deep thinking and feelings.
Leads to further inquiries.
Stimulates critical, creative, ethical, and reflective thought on key ideas in a discipline.
Research Questions Checklist
Research Questions Checklist
FOCUSED on a single problem or issue.
RESEARCHABLE using primary and/or secondary sources.
FEASIBLE to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints.
SPECIFIC enough to answer thoroughly.
COMPLEX enough to develop the answer over the space of a paper or thesis.
RELEVANT to your field of study and/or society more broadly.
Common Problems with Research Questions
Common Problems with Research Questions
TOO BROAD: Broad questions cover too much ground or too many variables to be answered effectively within a typical research constraint. For example, what is the role of women in Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam?
TOO NARROW: Narrow questions are factual and simple, not requiring deep analysis or argument, and might be answered with a single reference or data point. For example, How many verses in the Qu'ran mention the hijab?
THE STRATEGY: Use the Question Matrix Chart to turn a general subject into a question. Aim for higher order questions (bottom right of the matrix) that start with "How" or "Why"?
Primary vs. Secondary Sources
Primary vs. Secondary Sources
Primary Sources
Primary Sources
Firsthand, original evidence created during the event or era.
EXAMPLES: Historical documents, rawa survey data, interviews, lab results, diaries, original artwork.
Secondary Sources
Secondary Sources
Analysis, interpretation, or evaluation of primary sources.
EXAMPLES: Peer-reviewed journal articles, history textbooks, biographies, documentary films.
Recommended Research Links & Databases
Recommended Research Links & Databases
How to Use Library Databases
How to Use Library Databases
Database vs. Google Search:
Google searches the open web (contains ad-driven, unverified content).
Library databases search curated scholarly content (peer-reviewed articles, reference ebooks, vetted archives).
Search Power Tools
Search Power Tools
AND: Narrows results ("climate change" AND "biodiversity").
OR: Expands results ("teenagers" OR "adolescents").
NOT: Excludes certain results ("Instagram" NOT "TikTok")
QUOTES: Keeps phrases together ("renewable energy").
ASTERISK: Searches a family of words ("econom*" searches for words in the family: economic, economist, etc.)
PARENTHESES: Helps to create search strings (mars OR moon) AND "the mission").
Source: https://btc.ctc.libguides.com/ebp/boolean
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