Introduction.

Are you looking for a full guide on how to conduct research? You have arrived at the right place. Today we will take you through all the basic steps that you need to follow in order to create the best research paper possible. However, we need to mention that you can change the order of the steps depending on the subject that you are researching or the issues that you might encounter when searching for specific information. Without any further ado, let’s jump into it.

How to Conduct Research

#1 Identify the Subject

The first step when conducting research is identifying the subject that you will cover. The subject you pick needs to fit within the parameters set by the assignment that the teacher or employer has sent to you. It’s always best to choose a subject that you are familiar with because you will have an easier time collecting information.

#2 Search for Information

After deciding the topic you want to cover, you need to start a preliminary search for information. Doing this will help you determine what type of information you need to properly conduct the research. A good piece of advice for this step is to look up keywords in your library’s encyclopedias and dictionaries.

#3 Locate the Materials

Depending on the subject, you will find the required materials in different sources. For example, if you are conducting research on a book you can always search for more information in the aleph catalog. You can also perform keyword research, but make sure to note the author and title so that you can find the materials easier.

#4 Pick Reliable Sources

Now that you know exactly what materials you need, you have to select reliable sources that you can quote. Your teacher or employer is expecting you to only use truthful and credible sources, so make sure to only choose reliable sources and no the first results that you get with a quick internet search.

#5 Start Writing

Collecting and organizing the required information are the most difficult steps when conducting research. Now, you can start writing. We want to mention that you should begin the research paper by defining the subject to your audience.

#6 Cite All Your Sources

Since you are using information from books, websites, and other sources, you need to cite all of them. Doing this will provide the authors with credit for publishing the information while at the same time making your research look more professional. Hold in mind that if you don’t cite your source, you might be accused of plagiarism.

#7 Proofread

The final step when conducting any type of research is proofreading. You need to read through the text and make sure that there aren’t any grammar mistakes. A useful tip here is to ask a friend or a family member to read the research paper because they will have an easier time identifying mistakes.