In College, Research Matters!
As a college student, conducting research effectively will be required in order for you to succeed in your classes. Whether you're asked to write a speech, a paper, or something else entirely, odds are you're going to need to know how to do some research in order to complete the assignment. Sometimes, though, research can be daunting -- it feels too time-consuming, unclear, or stressful. Luckily, it's a process that gets much easier with practice and a solid strategy. This guide will provide you with an overview of the research process and provide you with some tools and resources for getting started.
Printable Resources
- SIRS Research GuideThis worksheet, designed by SIRS Knowledge Source, will guide you through the research process step by step, providing helpful tips, asking questions to help you best understand your topic, and leading you to creating a thesis statement.
- Writing a Research PaperThis in-depth overview, designed by Points of View Reference Center, guides you through the research & paper-writing process, providing many useful tips and recommended timelines for completing the steps so you can plan ahead.
- Writing a Research PaperThis short guide, developed by Issues & Controversies, summarizes the necessary steps for writing a research paper, including choosing a topic & thesis statement and conducting research, and provides useful starting points for these steps.
Online Course - Research Basics
This free online course, developed by JSTOR, will help you get familiar with basic research concepts needed for successful college-level research. It contains three modules made up of short lessons and practice quizzes, and ends with an assessment to test your knowledge. Check it out here.
Ask a Librarian
How to Make an Outline
Developed by Gale, these are some basic aids to guide you through this specific part of the research paper process.
An Overview
Download the Overview
- Short Overview of the Research ProcessThis is a downloadable PDF version of the above infographic.
Online Resources
- The Undergraduate Research Process -- Pikes Peak State CollegeFull of tips, video tutorials, and lots of excellent information and advice for every stage of the research process, this guide from Pikes Peak State College is an excellent, in-depth resource.
- Research Tips & Search Strategies -- Lambton CollegeA subsection of Lambton College's How to Research LibGuide, this page offers best practices for starting research and helpful search strategies.
- Research Skills for Students TextbookFull of detailed chapters on dozens of topics pertaining to developing research skills, this comprehensive guide by University of Galway's Academic Skills Team equips students with the essential knowledge needed to conduct thorough and ethical research via practical advice and illustrative examples.
- Library Research for College Students: Step-by-Step -- Western Technical CollegeThis LibGuide from Western Technical College provides you with a step-by-step in-depth start to finish guide through the research process.
Find It @ the Library
The Student's Survival Guide to Research by Call Number: ZA 3075 .M43 2015ISBN: 9780838912768Publication Date: 2015-09-03
Digital Paper: a manual for research and writing with library and internet materials by Call Number: LB 1047.3 .A22 2014ISBN: 9780226167640Publication Date: 2014-08-04
The Oxford Guide to Library Research by Call Number: Z 710 .M23 2015ISBN: 9780199931040Publication Date: 2015-03-27
