The research process is a cycle that requires your powers of patience and flexibility!
While there are clear steps to follow while writing a research paper, conducting research for the effective use of information usually follows more of a cyclical process than a straight line. If you are willing to be flexible, to experience some trial and error, and to take your time in an organized method, you will surely succeed!
Remember that the scholars and authors who are publishing works into the scholarly conversation are also experiencing a research process - from the idea stage to the final published paper, report, presentation or book. When you produce new information from your research endeavors, you are given the opportunity to contribute to the conversation.
In this section of the Information League, you will complete a self-assessment of your previous research experience, receive an overview of the research cycle, move through a Credo Instruct tutorial on pre-research, and view a humorous video on research preparation.
The figure and text below describes the process you might go through while working on a research assignment.
You experience this process often without being aware of the stages or having a name for each stage of research. Often, the process is NOT continuous along this circle because you might go back to a previous stage. You can start with a research question and then as you learn more about the topic, you might adjust your research question. You might change your opinion or become more interested in something related to where you started. When this happens, you might need to find different or more information sources. As you write your paper, you might decide to discard some information sources and rely more on a particular article. As you write and include your research sources, you will edit and revise. As you can see, the cycle of research and writing leads to a greater end result. (Click anywhere on the image to enlarge in a new window)
Cook, Kristen. “The Research/Writing Process.” 2018. JPEG.
