Academic Research Skills

1. PLAN YOUR TRIP

• Understand your assignment purpose and parameters. Do you need to write an annotated bibliography or literature review?
• Note due dates.
• Consider possible topics you could choose.

2. GET THE LAY OF THE LAND

• Conduct background research online to familiarize yourself with the topic(s) you're considering.
• Look at encyclopedias and other background reference resources. (TIP: Almost every subject guide in the library will have a section for background sources. See this example from the Political Science subject guide.)
• Consider possible directions and areas of focus.

3. CHOOSE YOUR ROUTE

• Narrow down your topic, create a research question, or draft a thesis statement.
• Think about what types of information you need and where you might find them.
• Set deadlines and milestones.

4. GET ON THE ROAD

• Select keywords for your topic and pick databases and other resources you are going to search.
• Conduct multiple searches in relevant databases.
• Gather your information sources together in one place.

5. MAKE A PIT STOP

• Evaluate your sources using different frameworks.
• Is the information you found current, accurate, and reliable?
• Are there any gaps in the perspectives you're considering?

6. KEEP GOING

• Try using different keywords, noting any synonyms or related terms you find as you search.
• Consider other databases to search. Have you looked everywhere you can?
• Ask for help if you need it! 

7. CHECK IN & UNPACK

• Review and thoroughly read the sources you have found.
• Start writing, using your sources as a foundation.

8. EXPLORE & DOCUMENT

• Fill in any gaps by digging deeper into the resources you found, or follow citations to other materials.
• Express and document your ideas.

9. FINISH YOUR TRIP

• Polish everything off by reviewing and editing your work.
• Include any finishing touches, adding diagrams, images, etc.
• Cite your sources, using the citation style required for your class.