Step 3: Researching and processing information
Research and reading are an important part of academic study. Our tips can help you save time and improve your critical thinking. Research involves searching for and sifting through a huge body of information using academic sources in libraries, the internet and other places. It is important you research and read effectively in order to maximise the limited time you have preparing for an assignment.
Researching effectively
Before conducting research, you should:
- carefully analyse the assignment, essay or report question and make sure you understand what it requires you to do.
- brainstorm/mindmap what you know about the topic already. You may like to refer to your lecture notes and course readings.
- develop a direction for your research.
Sometimes you may not have any initial ideas about the question. Or, your early ideas may need developing. In both instances, researching your ideas becomes essential. One way to approach this is to first of all find out what you need research.
Tips
- Start your research early! Locating books and articles always takes longer than you think. There is also the possibility that what you want is not available.
- Search keywords
- Make sure what you've found is relevant. Skim abstracts, table of contents, introduction and conclusion and check them against the assignment question.
- Ask a librarian which databases are suitable for your subject.
- Keep a detailed bibliographic record of the sources you've found.
Activity
This activity can help you strategise your research by brainstorming ideas, and then thinking about how much you already know about the essay topic. At the end of the process you will be able to export a document that has all your ideas in it. You can use this to start working on your essay.
Please note that the Submit button at the end does not submit the work to anyone. Select the Export text button.