Develop a Research Plan

Here are some tips for planning and doing a research project.

Step 1: Define Your Research Project

• What is your purpose in doing the research?

• What do you need to find out - and why?

• How much time do you have to do the research?

Step 2: Make a List of Specific Questions

These are the questions that you will answer in doing your research. Prioritize them.

Step 3: Develop Your Research Plan

• Who is most likely to know the answers to your questions? Go to those resources first.

• Think about your resources broadly - include people and libraries. Speaking with someone who has already done your research is the fastest way to get an answer.

• Use a search engine as a last resort, not as a starting point.

If you are doing research with a group, assign research questions so that you are not duplicating efforts.

Step 4: Research

Keep your priorities in mind. If you are having a hard time finding an answer to a particular question, ask yourself how important it is to answer - before you spend lots of time researching it!

Step 5: Review Your Findings

• Have you answered your questions?

• How will you use the information you have found?

• Did your research raise additional questions?

• How important are they in relation to your purpose?