Develop a Research Strategy
Beginning researchers usually think of research as a linear process. First you gather all the sources that you need, then you read them, then you write. On the surface, this appears to be an efficient strategy for gathering information. Unfortunately, in practice, it doesn't work out so well. If you try to gather all your resources at once, you will almost certainly
- Spend money copying articles you didn't need.
- Spend time online or at the library at the last minute, trying to fill gaps in your research.
- Not have enough time to incorporate the new material thoroughly into the fabric of your paper.
Use Library Resources Frequently
Instead of trying to go in a straight line, think of the research process as a cycle.
- Begin by gathering some information and reading what you find. Make notes and ask yourself questions.
- Go back and gather some more information to try to answer your questions.
- Continue doing this until you feel that you understand your topic well enough to write about it.
- Be sure to give yourself time to think about what you have learned. Good writing means analyzing your material and thinking critically about it.
Leslie Murtha, 14 December 2000