THE ​RESEARCH ​PROCESS

Becoming an effective researcher takes practice. The ​more you do it the more efficient you become. With ​practice, you are able to locate quality sources, evaluate ​them, and synthesize your findings into your work. Great ​researchers think critically about information.

There is no one way to conduct research, but there are ​research steps that can help make an overwhelming ​process seem more manageable. The Porter Research ​Center will break down these steps and provide you with ​resources and information to help you become an ​effective researcher.

1.PLAN

This is one of the most overlooked parts of the research ​process. We often jump to searching. However, if you ​plan your research effectively, it makes every other step ​much easier and more efficient. It doesn’t mean your plan ​won’t shift in the course of your research, but if you ​create a plan, making adjustments will be much simpler.

2.SEARCH

Sometimes searching for the information you need is simple. ​Other times, as is often the case in academic research, it ​requires a little more skill.

Use a variety of search strategies whether you are looking for ​information on Google or the academic databases.

3.EVALUATE

It is essential that you evaluate the information you find regardless ​of where it comes from. When we evaluate our sources, we are ​looking for currency, relevance, accuracy, authority, and purpose.

Our sources are the evidence or data we use to support our claims. ​The stronger our sources, the stronger our arguments or claims ​become.

4.CITE

The main thing to consider when it comes to citations is ​why we do it. Sure, we cite our sources to avoid plagiarism ​but also to provide other researchers a trail of information. ​This helps to ensure ideas generated by your research ​continue to fuel additional research on the topic.

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