The Research Process

Follow this six step process for research in any discipline:

1. Identify and Develop your Topic  - Use books, journal articles and websites from your discipline to find interesting and relevant concepts that you want to explore further. Talk to professors to discover current issues and new research in your field. Consider the multiple perspectives on your topic.
    
2. Search Discovery to Find Print and eBooks on your Topic  - Search Discovery to find print and eBooks accessible at Widener.
    
3. Search Online Subscription Databases to Find Journal Articles on your Topic  - Select the A-Z Databases tile to find databases relevant to your discipline. Or Search Discovery to find journal articles relevant to your topic.
    
4. Find Full Text Journal Articles  - Use the A-Z Databases tile and other resources to obtain the full text of journal articles.
    
5. Find and Evaluate Internet Resources on your Topic - Use the internet to find useful, authoritative web resources on your topic.  Evaluate each site that you find to ensure that the information in reliable and valid.
    
6. Cite Your Sources - Create accurate and complete citations for each resource used in a research paper by using the citation style required by your professor.

Use the navigation tabs to explore each step.  Each tab includes Wolfgram Library research tips and additional resources related to each step.