The main steps involved with the research design, development and evaluation is discussed in 8 important steps
Step 1: Select and research a topic.
Selecting a topic can be the most challenging part of a research assignment. Since this is the very first step in writing a paper, it is vital that it be done correctly.
Step 2: Conduct an initial information search.
Before beginning your research in earnest, do a preliminary search to determine whether there is enough information out there for your needs and to set the context of your research. Look up your keywords in the appropriate titles in the library’s reference collection (such as encyclopaedias and dictionaries) and in other sources such as our catalogue of books, periodical databases, and Internet search engines.
Additional background information may be found in your lecture notes, textbooks, and reserved readings. Depending on the resources you have, you may need to change the way you look at your topic.
Step 3: Collect your materials.
With the direction of your research now clear to you, you can begin locating material on your topic. There are a number of places you can look for information: If you are looking for books, do a subject search in the Alephcatalog. A keyword search can be performed if the subject search doesn’t yield enough information. Print or jot down the citation information (author, title, etc.) as well as the location of the item(s) (call number and collection).Note the circulation status. When you locate the book on the shelf, look at the books located nearby; similar items are always shelved in the same area.
The Aleph catalogue also indexes the library’s audio-visual holdings. Use the library’s electronic periodical databases to find magazine and newspaper articles. Choose the databases and formats best suited to your particular topic; ask the librarian at the Reference Desk if you need help figuring out which database best meets your needs. Many of the articles in the databases are available in full-text format. Use search engines (Google, Yahoo, etc.) and subject directories to locate materials on the Internet. Check the Internet Resources section of the NHCC Library web site for helpful subject links.
Step 4: Assess your sources.
See the Checklist for Information Quality for tips on evaluating the authority and quality of the information you have located. Your instructor expects that you will provide credible, truthful, and reliable information, and you have every right to expect that the sources you use will provide the same. This step is especially important when using the Internet, where many sources aren’t thought to be very trustworthy.
Step 5: Make a list of notes.
Consult the resources you have chosen and note the information that will be useful in your paper. Be sure to document all the sources you consult, even if there is a chance you may not use that particular source. The author, title, publisher, URL, and other information will be needed later when creating a bibliography.
Step 6: Compose your paper
Begin by organising the information you have collected. The next step is the rough draft, wherein you get your ideas on paper in an unfinished fashion. This step will help you organise your ideas and determine the form your final paper will take. After this, you will revise the draught as many times as you think necessary to create a final product to turn in to your instructor.
Step 7. Properly cite your sources.
Cite your sources and give credit where credit is due. Citing or documenting the sources used in your research serves two purposes: it gives proper credit to the authors of the materials used, and it allows those who are reading your work to duplicate your research and locate the sources that you have listed as references. The MLA and APA styles are two popular citation formats. Failure to cite your sources properly is plagiarism. Plagiarism is avoidable!
Step 8: Proofreading
The final step in the process is to proofread the paper you have created. Read through the text and check for any errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Make sure the sources you use are cited properly. Make sure the message that you want to get across to the reader has been thoroughly stated.
