By Maggie Bushman/ Communications Intern
Step 1: Identify Research Topic
The first step in the research process is to identify which topic you would like to research. One way to jump start this process is by thinking through what interests you. There are so many research topics out there, so find one that really resonates with you.
Step 2: Review the Literature
Step 2 is where you conduct your preliminary research. Before you dive right in to your own research you want to figure out what has already been done on your topic of choice.
Step 3: Develop and Clarify Research Question
This step is a more narrow version of Step One. Once you have your topic and a good idea of what others have done, you can refine your research question to try and find an answer that no one else has come across.
Step 4: Develop Data Collection Plan
Once you have a clear idea of your research question, you should start planning out how to get to an answer. Data collection will provide you with the information to eventually come to a conclusion. You need to have a solid idea of what data you need.
Step 5: Collect Data
Step Five is where you will gather all of your data. In this step, you are not able to come to a conclusion just yet, but you might be able to identify trends with the naked eye.
Step 6: Analyze and Interpret Data
This step is where you are able to determine and formulate an answer to your research question, but interpreting all of the data you collected in Step Five.
Step 7: Share Findings
Step Seven is by far the most rewarding step. This is where you get to present your findings to the rest of the world, making an impact on society.