Factor these steps into your research schedule. Research is cyclical and takes place throughout the entire project. It may be necessary to repeat several of the steps below, several times over.
- Brainstorming and background reading: Explore the key books, periodicals, databases and other information sources for your field. Step outside of your comfort zone to explore resources you may not be familiar with. Discuss ideas with a faculty member, librarian or fellow students in your major. Brainstorm topics of interest, and begin reading general or starter sources to learn more.
- Focus: Once you have a clearer sense of your topic and potential resources, focus your research. Aim to identify in-depth academic and professional/ industry information sources first.
- Select a handful of these most promising sources for deep reading and evaluation. Note interesting leads to follow up on. And if a source doesn't fit your topic after all, remove it from consideration.
- Start to build the bibliography and outline: This first group of readings can form the core of your bibliography. They should be on-topic and based on research and external evidence. You may also want to begin developing an outline of the paper or literature review, to consider how these sources fit in.
- Step back and assess. Which research gaps still need to be addressed? Is it necessary to tweak your topic or research questions, based on what you have read? Continue researching accordingly.
- Follow up on leads identified in your research so far. Add them to your bibliography as appropriate.
- Find, evaluate and select non-academic sources. For example, news articles, data, business reports, websites, images, media, can all enhance your research. Eventually you will use a wide variety of information.
- Expand your research beyond of SCAD Libraries if necessary. Use Interlibrary Loan to obtain materials not at SCAD.
- You may plan to do primary research (e.g. a site visit, interview, or survey) or visit other research centers (museums, archives, etc.) If so, identify contacts and factor the logistics into your research schedule.
- Re-iterate, revise and refine. You will continue to research even as you are writing. Organize and track your sources throughout the process.