The Research Process

This resource guide is intended to help students conducting research for a paper or presentation. Students will find help and advice here for doing their research, while using good academic sources.

Image from SRI International.

Use this guide to help you with the major steps of the research process, which are:

1. Identify and develop your topic.
2. Find background information on your topic & plan your search.
3. Find book and media on your topic using the catalog.
4. Find periodical articles from our print collection and the library databases.
5. Find credible Web sources.
6. Evaluate the sources you find.
7. Cite the sources/information you use.

Keep in mind that during the process you may need to revisit steps in order to refine your topic and/or results.