Research and Documentation

Basic Research Guidelines

Understanding what research is

• The ability to explore a problem or issue systematically

Asking research questions and developing a focus and hypothesis

• What needs to be explored, examined, clarified, challenged, exposed, delineated, etc.?

Understanding topic, purpose, audience, situation

• What can and should I do, given the present writing situation?
  Who is my audience? What are my objectives?

Finding sources

• What facilities and resources are available and how do I use them?

Evaluating sources

• Which sources are most credible, authoritative, and appropriate in the present context?

Becoming a scholar

• Read as much as possible on the topic; take exemplary, relevant notes; compare, evaluate, critique, and synthesize all of the information

Creating a narrative

• Structure the presentation using the thread of the essay's focus to weave an analytic narrative for the reader

Presenting a professional document

• Pay attention to format, documentation, accuracy, and mechanics