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Research & Instruction Department
Guide to Com 212 Research
The Research Cycle
1. Explore Your Topic
Before you settle on a topic, it's a good idea to do some background research first. The library is a great source for background information!
2. Refine Your Topic
Now that you've done some background research, it's time to narrow your topic. Remember: the shorter your final paper, the narrower your topic needs to be.
3. Search For Sources
After you've refined your topic, it's time to start searching for sources. Do you need books, articles, or something else?
4. Evaluate Your Sources
It's always a good idea to evaluate sources before using them in your assignment. Do you need to have scholarly sources or the most recent research?
5. Write
Pull everything together to share your argument and your evidence. Tie ideas from your sources together with your own thoughts and analysis to make a compelling case.