College Prep Research Skills: Research Basics

1. Be sure you understand exactly what is required! Read the assignment thoroughly and ask questions to clarify.

2. Choose a topic. (See DEVELOPING A RESEARCH TOPIC video on this page)

3. Read, read, read to become familiar with the topic. Get background information first! Use the WHERE CAN I FIND THE INFORMATION I NEED? chart to determine where to look for what you need.

4. Narrow your topic to fit within the scope of the assignment.

5. Ask a question that will guide your research. A RESEARCH QUESTION clearly presents what you want to discover about your topic. The answer to your research question becomes your THESIS STATEMENT.

6. Identify key concepts to use in searching for sources (See DEVELOPING AN EFFECTIVE SEARCH STRATEGY video on this page).

7. Develop a thesis statement.

8. Create a preliminary bibliography. 

9. Take notes! (See the NOTETAKING video on this page)

10. Make an outline. After you create your thesis statement on THESIS BUILDER, use their BUILD AN OUTLINE link to get a blueprint for exactly how to write YOUR research paper.

11. Write the rough draft (See PUTTING YOUR INFORMATION ALL TOGETHER video on this page).

12. Edit the paper. Reading the paper OUT LOUD to yourself will help you find mistakes.

13. Write the final draft.

14. Check to make sure you have satisfied ALL the requirements of the assignment.