The Research Process: Worksheets and Online Guide

Subject Area(s):

• Higher Ed: General

Grade Level(s):

• First Year
• Lower level
• Upper Level
• Graduate
• Continuing
• Professional development

Description:

A template of the research process, originally designed for college students, can be adapted and used in almost any setting by any person. Worksheets (under "Supporting Files") address selecting general topics for research, developing search vocabulary, finding background information, narrowing and broadening topics, developing research questions, finding information using library databases, finding information using library catalogs, finding and evaluating information on the internet, and citing sources. For online access, go to http://libguides.aacc.edu/researchprocess.

Supporting Files:

• ResearchProcess.pdf
  Worksheets detailing the research process (PDF).

Standards:

ACRL Standards (Higher Education IL Standards)

Determines the nature and extent of information needed

• Defines and articulates the need for information
• Identifies a variety of types and formats of potential sources for information
• Reevaluates the nature and extent of the information need

Accesses needed information effectively and efficiently

• Constructs and implements effectively-designed search strategies
• Retrieves information online or in person using a variety of methods
• Refines the search strategy if necessary

Evaluates information and its sources critically and incorporates selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system

• Articulates and applies initial criteria for evaluating both the information and its sources
• Determines whether the initial query should be revised

Understands many of the economic, legal and social issues surrounding the use of information and accesses and uses information ethically and legally

• Acknowledges the use of information sources in communicating the product or performance