The steps that you should take are as follows:
- Read about a broad topic with "peripheral vision," looking for subtopics and important terms.
- Identify focused questions you are interested in investigating
- Gather a working source list
- Gather information and evaluate the sources of information.
- Take notes on note cards.
- Develop clear and focused preliminary thesis.
- Identify strong supporting points and rank them, making certain that the research and logical reasoning support them.
- Develop an outline or construct and complete a visual organizing tool.
- Prepare a rough draft.
- Add research documentation to the draft.
- Revise the draft.
- Have a peer review your work.
- Revise and edit the draft.
- Prepare, proofread, and submit the final copy.
Develop a Working Source List:
Gather a large list of books, articles, and other sources of information on your topic. Even if you are not sure the source will have what you want, keep accurate information on EVERY source in case you do need it later. If you are using Web pages, you might want to print out the first page of the document, making sure the URL is printed on the page.
Locate your sources through the online patron catalog, in print and online reference works, databases and journal indexes, other bibliographies, and sources suggested by your teacher or librarian.
Keep a separate 3x5 card for every new source. Examples are below:
