The Research Process

The Research ProcessI. Ask a question. Don’t pose a topic

• Understand the question will structure the research plan and the answer

• Understand your limits as a researcher (what you don’t know/can’t know)

• Understand the burdens of truth your audience will expect

II. Develop a plan to answer the question
A. Primary data collection
B. Secondary literature review

•  Identify what information is needed to answer the question

• Identify the best sources of information

• Locate those sources
• Evaluate the sources and understand their organization

• Summarize and synthesize the sources

III. Analyze primary data through writing
IV. Integrate data and secondary literature through writing to generate a claim
V. Synthesize various components to construct your answer
VI. Polish style and delivery