May be assigned. If open topic, select a current or controversial issue, one that is of interest to you.
Brainstorm for Ideas
Choose an area that interests you > strong opinion about it? read or hear about it?
Do some background reading
Encyclopedias, websites, articles
Refine the topic
Limit to geographical area, population group, discipline
Make a list of keywords
Broader or narrower terms, synonyms, key concepts
Form a research question
What do you attempt to answer or discuss
Locate & Analyze your information
Library catalog, databases, Internet search engines > evaluate your sources
Form your Thesis Statement
Write your topic as a thesis statement, the answer to your research question
Write, write, write - cite, cite, cite
The Research Process
Washington State E-Learning Council. "Types of Information: Cash in Your Information Riches." IRIS 4-2. (http://www.clark.edu/Library/iris/types/sources/sources.shtml). Published by Clark College Libraries. Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0.
