A researcher is distinguished by curiosity, organization, and meticulousness. If you are attempting to do research, then methodically finding, evaluating and documenting resources will improve the results of a research project. Define, refine and outline the materials until you have sufficient sources to write a decisive report.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Define the Project Field
Step 1. Determine a good reason why this research should be done
Clarify what it will do. The answer may be based on your academic, personal, or professional needs, but it should be the reason for doing a thorough job.
Step 2. Define the problem or question before you
You should reduce the matter to the basic terms, time periods and disciplines. Write down any secondary questions that need to be worked on before you can answer the question.
Step 3. Consider your thesis
Usually a thesis is an answer to a general topic or question that is asked. You should have an idea of what you would like to do with your research; however, it does not have to be fully trained before starting the research project.
Step 4. Submit a research proposal if it is needed by your teacher, employer or group
Generally, a research proposal is required for projects that will last more than a couple of weeks.
- End-of-term research, degree projects, and field research projects will require a research proposal stating which problem you would like to solve through your survey.
- State the problem first, and then explain why this is relevant to the people you will be presenting the research to.
- Include the types of research you would like to conduct, including reading, polling, collecting statistics, or working with specialists.
Step 5. Define the project field and parameters
The following topics should be determined before starting:
- The time it takes to complete the search. You need a period of time to successfully cover all the bases.
- A list of topics that should be included in your final report. If you have an official prospectus or lead, it should explain the goals.
- The dates of any reviews by teachers or managers, so that you can respect the times while working.
- The number of sources required. Generally, the number of sources is commensurate with the length of the search.
- The format of your search list, citations and bibliography of the cited works.
Part 2 of 5: Finding Resources
Step 1. Start on the internet with simple search engines
Enter the basic keywords of your search question to get a cursory understanding of the topic.
- Give preference to sites that have their sources in universities, scientists, projects and government research reports.
- List any great assets that you feel comfortable citing.
- Use "plus" symbols to search for multiple terms when they are together. For example, "Christmas + Boxing Day."
- Use "minus" symbols to exclude search terms. For example, "+ Christmas -shopping."
- Collect information about the site, such as the date it was published, the authority that published it and the date you visited it, as well as the URL.
Step 2. Move to the library
If possible, use your local university library. If a larger library is not available, request a card at the public library closest to you.
- Consult a librarian in the references section to find out which collections, journals and dictionaries the library has access to. For example, the Library of Congress directory will give access to all published books on a given topic.
- Make background readings, such as historical texts, photographs and definitions in an important dictionary.
- Use the electronic card catalog to access books that may be requested by other libraries.
- Use the computer lab to access journals and other media that are only available to the library. For example, some science data may only be available for library computers.
- Search the media lab to see what other sources, such as microsheets, films, and interviews, are available through the library.
- Request any promising material through the information desk or on your online library account.
Step 3. Schedule interviews with people who have direct experience with the research topic
Interviews and surveys can provide quotes, guidance, and statistics to support your research. Interview experts, witnesses and professionals who have conducted relevant research in the past.
Step 4. Organize research through observation
Taking a trip to gather information in an important place can help you establish a story and background for your project. If you have the ability to use opinions in your research as well, you will want to notice how research grows and changes from your point of view.
Step 5. Refine your search as you develop a direction for your project
When deciding on your thesis, you should break it down into sub-categories that you can research individually online, in a library, or through observation-based interviews and research.
Part 3 of 5: Assessing Resources
Step 1. Ask yourself if the source is primary or secondary
Primary sources are evidence, artifacts, or documents originating from people who have had direct contact with a situation. Secondary sources are those that discuss information from primary sources.
A secondary source could be a point of view or analysis of a historical event or original document. For example, an immigration registry would be a primary source, while an article on the genealogy of a family would be a secondary source
Step 2. Prefer sources that are objective to subjective ones
If the narrator of an account is not personally connected to the topic, he is more likely to remain objective.
Step 3. Give preference to sources that have been published in print
Sources on the web usually pass less stringent checks than articles published in periodicals or books.
Step 4. Look for conflicting sources
Subjective sources taking opposing points of view can be extremely important, because they are able to give broader views of a topic. Find the "pain points" in your topic and document all possible ways to address them.
It is easy to conduct research that supports your thesis. Try to find sources who disagree with your thesis so that you can address objections to your project
Step 5. Evaluate how relevant and / or flawed the source may be before using the search for your project
Keep your sources separate until you decide whether or not you want the source to be part of your research. While the research process helps, some sources may not be sufficiently corroborated to support published research.
Part 4 of 5: Write down the information
Step 1. Keep a notebook
Write down the questions asked by the research followed by the sources and answers you find. Refer to the page numbers, URLs, and sources that answer those questions.
Step 2. Write down all the text
Photocopy your printed sources and take notes on video and audio sources. Make notes in the margin on any terms that need to be defined, relevance to the research topic and sources, which build on each other.
- Use a highlighter and pencil on the photocopies. You should do this as you read, rather than come back to it later.
- Annotations stimulate active reading.
- Keep a list that might be useful in your relationship.
Step 3. Keep a file, so you can keep all your research together
Separate it into files according to different topics, if possible. You can also use an electronic collation system, such as Evernote, to keep scans, websites, and annotations together.
Step 4. Develop an outline to move forward
Separate the topics you need to break down by number. Then separate by letter the sub-categories you need to research and report on.
Part 5 of 5: Facing the Obstacles
Step 1. Don't "approximate"
Don't base your thesis on generalizations that are made from previous research. Try not to assume that a past approach is the only one possible.
Get away from your research for a few days, to be able to see it again with fresh eyes. Take a break every week, like you would a job
Step 2. Talk about your research to someone who knows nothing about the subject
Try to explain what you found. Ask the person to ask questions that arise as they hear the topic to see it from a fresher point of view.
Step 3. Try to find sources in different disciplines
If you've taken an approach from an anthropological perspective, look for papers in sociology, biology, or another field. Expand your sources through the references section of your library.
Step 4. Start writing
Start filling out your pattern. As you write, you will decide which subcategories require the most research.
