Steps of the Research Process

1. Research During the Writing Process

As you have learned, the writing process has some basic steps. Here they are again with more detail. In this challenge, we will focus on the pre-research and research parts of the process, and we will take up planning in the next challenge. But remember that these steps are really intertwined.

Researching is an important skill in school and in many jobs. Even though research can seem overwhelming sometimes, as with any big project, it helps to break it down into manageable steps.

Throughout the course, you will research, plan, and write an argumentative essay. Research is especially important to this kind of writing because you will need evidence to support opinions. Our goal at Sophia is to help make the research process clear and easy to follow. That way, you can use this process in any course that requires academic writing. Furthermore, the planning strategies you learn can be used on any long-term project, even ones that are not writing-focused.

You will need to do at least some pre-research to develop an idea to focus your research. We call it “pre-research” because it is more about the project itself: Is there enough information to support your position? Is it in line with what the assignment requires? Will you be able to sustain your interest in the project to keep at it?

This is followed by more thorough research, which will then support your argument. You will probably complete the bulk of that research prior to and during your first draft, though you may have to do more research during the revisions, depending on the feedback you receive. In the rest of this challenge, we will look closer at each of these steps in the research process.

2. Getting Organized

Before you begin writing or researching, you’ll need to get an idea of when, where, and how you will do things. Managing any project well means anticipating common problems, knowing how to prevent them, and leaving time to deal with setbacks. Each step of a research project requires time and attention. Planning helps ensure that you will keep your project running smoothly and produce your best work. Here are some ideas about how to get (and stay) organized:

• Set up a project schedule with deadlines for when you will complete each step, considering other commitments that might come up.
• Tools like calendars, checklists, note cards, and software can help you stay on track.
• Store project documents in a binder or electronic folder, and label them clearly.
• Defining smaller tasks, such as locating potential sources, evaluating their usefulness and reliability, reading, and taking notes, makes the project more manageable by giving you concrete goals to achieve.

hint

If you work at multiple locations, a cloud-based document platform like Google Docs or OneDrive is a great way to keep your notes and resources easy to access.

Getting organized also means you should think about what you need to complete each step and what project resources you will use. This list is not just for this class but might be useful for future classes. Your resources may include:

• Word processing platform: What will you use to write your paper and take notes? What is your system for organizing your digital files?
• Library access: Do you have access to a college library or community library? Do you need a library card to use their academic databases? See if you can find and use the databases, and find out what you need to do if you cannot.
• Citation resources: What kind of formatting is needed for your assignment? APA, MLA, and Chicago are common style guides with different requirements. (Our course will use APA!)
• Spell and grammar checker: Have you used these resources before? Many word processors have them built in, and online tools like Grammarly go a step further in giving feedback and helping fine-tune your paper.
• Examples of other student assignments: Did you review any models provided? What did you notice?

hint

Even in a self-paced course like this one, it is important to have a plan so that you are prepared to complete the project. As you plan, break down major steps into smaller tasks.

3. Know What You Need

Your specific methods for collecting sources will depend on the details of your research project. However, a good strategy to begin with is to think in terms of needs: What do you need, as a researcher and writer? What do your readers need?

Review this table as you consider what kind of sources to use:

try it

Suppose you are writing an argument in favor of more funding for public transportation. What sort of information might you get for each of these areas?

Scope of the topic

For the scope of the topic, you might describe how many people drive to work and the toll on the environment.

Contextual sources

A contextual source might put this data in comparison to other sources of pollution.

Reason to be interested or proof that it matters

While these might provide a “reason to be interested,” you might also share stories of people who use public transportation to show that it has personal benefits as well, relieving stress and giving one time to relax.

Examples and explanation

Examples could show cities around the world with highly effective public transportation and the benefits to their community and urban area.

make the connection

It's time to start thinking about finding sources related to your final argumentative essay topic. This process will help you focus your project to the point where you will be ready to create an outline of your paper. As you are reading through this challenge, take breaks to work through your own research. You can keep coming back to get more tips and suggestions as you go.