Research Process

The Research Process

     The research process involves searching credible sources using internet databases in order to find the information needed. One should strive to only use information that is extracted from primary sources: firsthand accounts of a certain subject. Most importantly, Wikipedia should never be visited when trying to learn about something since that anyone is able to edit those posts whenever they want. Be sure to always check the website URL to see if the information you are looking at is coming from a credible source. Search for keywords about your subject in a library database; this will give personal, primary sources of the information that is needed. Never forget to cite the sources of these databases at the end of the paper or in an annotated bibliography.

1.      Ask the librarian about their databases

·         Talk to he/she about the certain databases that offer different sources of information. Some of these websites directly focus on a specific subject. For Example: if the presidents of the America are being researched then use a database that focuses solely on history.

2.      Type in Keywords or phrases into these credible databases to find firsthand articles

·         Use specific phrases or words from the subject of what is being researched, and put them into the search bar at the top of these databases in order to find exactly what is needed. This way, there will be no question to what is being talked about and how it is found.

3.      Use small direct quotes that come straight from the database when writing a paper

·         After finding a perfect database that can provide the information needed, be sure to make direct quotes in the paper that come exactly from the source. It doesn’t matter if these quotes taken from the website are phrases or full on sentences.

4.      Elaborate and explain the direct quotes used from databases

·         Once the quotes are embedded into the research paper, explain and elaborate what they actually mean. Don’t just steal all information from these databases; be sure to give opinions as well!

      Cite all of the sources that were used throughout the entire research process

·         At the end of the paper, make sure that all of the sources that you used when researching are cited in an annotated bibliography or a works cited page. This way, it is evident that direct quotes were used from credible sources and databases.

 

Consider your audience: high school freshmen..

Never use google websites i.e. Wikipedia

•          It will honestly make the paper less professional in the long run. Databases are the way to go when looking for credible information to write a paper. It is not smart to put in your keywords or phrases into the google search bar.