1 Question – What is my research question?​
• What is my thesis or problem?
• Is my thesis specific and narrow enough?
• What questions do I want to answer?
• Is my topic interesting to me?​

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​2 Plan – What is my plan for conducting research?​
• What types of sources will answer my questions? Do I need primary sources, journal articles, images, etc.?
• What are the keywords, broader and narrower terms I need to use in my search?
• Which databases are the best choices?
• On the Web, should I begin with a research guide, search engine or subject directory?
• What method will I use to take notes - notecards, EasyBib, Questia, etc?

 

3 Search, Select & Evaluate – What sources will be most helpful and how will I evaluate them?​
• Do the resources I found really answer my questions or offer evidence to support my thesis?
• Have I evaluated my sources for currency, relevance, accuracy, credibility, appropriateness, and bias?
• Does the scope, depth, and quality of my research meet my expectations and my teachers?
• Have I added all of my sources to my bibliography?
• After reading, can I identify better keywords or subject headings to refine my search?

 

4 Organize – How will I organize the information I collect?​
• How much of the information I collected is truly relevant?
• Do I see any patterns emerging in the information I collected?
• How can I organize this information so that it makes sense to myself and others?
• Should I construct a visual tool or written outline to help me structure my work?
• Have I solved my information problem and answered the related questions?
• Do I have enough information?

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​5 Communicate – How will I communicate the information I find?​
• Who is my audience?
• How can I most effectively share this information with my audience?
• What is the best format for communicating the results of my information? PowerPoint? Video? Podcast? Essay? Brochure? Presentation?
• Have I included everything I want to share?
• Have I communicated my information clearly?
• Have I proofread, edited and truly finished my project?

 

 

6 Reflect – How do I feel about the final product and the research process?​
• The Product:
• Am I proud of the product?
• Did I meet the guidelines on the rubric?
• Am I sure I did not plagiarize from any of my sources?
• Is this the best work I could have done?
• The Process
• Did I explore a variety of resources and select the best?
• Did I approach the research process with a positive attitude?
• Did I search electronic resources (the Web and databases) effectively? Efficiently? Strategically?
• Did I use my time well during each phase of the process?