Skip to Main Content

Library Research Tutorials

This guide walks you through the research process with sections on searching the library catalogs and databases as well as tips on crafting research topics and how to evaluate sources.

Research is a Process

The Research Cycle

While there are a series of basic research steps, it's better to think of research as a process where you will return and repeat previous steps. During your research, your findings may require you to rethink, revise, or adjust your initial research topic and search strategies. It is expected that you will circle back and repeat steps, it is all part of the research process.

 

Cycle diagram of the research process, text displayed to the left.The basic steps to the research process are:

  1. Choosing your topic.
  2. Performing background research on your topic.
  3. Developing your topic into a research question.
  4. Finding sources on your topic.
  5. Evaluating your sources.
  6. Citing your sources.


 

 

Video Tutorial

Watch this 3:11 video for an example of how one student navigated the research cycle.

Video Credit: “Picking Your Topic IS Research!” by North Carolina State University Libraries licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US.