Welcome to FDU Libraries' Research Process Guide! Use this page to navigate and learn about the research process and utilizing FDU resources in your research. This is a great place to get started.
Review and evaluate the instructions for your assignment (due date, source requirements, length, etc.) and choose a topic for your research.
Search background information about your topic to learn more about it. Search resources like encyclopedias (Credo Reference database), books (Discovery Catalog), or Google (Wikipedia) to explore narrower content or concepts within your topic, which can help you to refine your topic and the scope of the project. This process will help you to create a research question or thesis statement that fulfills your assignment.
Brainstorm and write down keywords or phrases based on your research question/thesis statement and background information research. Search for relevant information using AND, OR, NOT, “ “ and/or filters.
Continue searching using different combinations of your keywords and phrases and use new keywords you find during your search. Also, experiment with searching in different sources of information, like searching in more than one database.
Utilize the CRAAP Test, SIFT, lateral reading, and our internet resource tips to assure that these resources are relevant to your assignment and are considered reliable information.
As you discover information, make sure you organize and cite what you find. Review what you have so you can identify gaps in your research and search to fill in the gaps.
Utilizing your resources, begin writing your research assignment. It is important to remember that research is not a straight line. If you find that a topic does not have enough resources, it does not mean that it is a bad topic, but that you may need to widen your topic or choose another one, which is okay. When struggling do not be afraid to ask for help.
