I’m sorry what’s the question? The
Research Process and Getting Started
Research is not conducted purely for the sake of research; it is said to
be the search for truth. A truth answered by a question. Starting the journey
to define and answer that truth or that question can feel overwhelming,
especially if you’re unsure where to begin or how to organize your ideas. The
good news is that the research process and getting started doesn’t require perfection,
just a systematic investigation. This blog post will walk you through the
essentials: choosing what to research, finding sources, evaluating credibility,
and incorporating information into your writing. The goal is to give you a
practical starting point rather than an exhaustive manual.
What to Research
I once heard it put this way, you do research every time you ask a
question and look for facts to answer it, even if the question is simple. An
example of a simple question might be, “What is playing at the movies theater
this weekend?”.
The first step in the research process is identifying a clear and
manageable topic. Instead of beginning with a broad idea, narrow it into a
focused research question. As in the above example, a specific question helps
guide your search and prevents information overload. What do you want to answer,
and does it need answering?
To get started, consider:
- Searching your Interest to find a
question worth answering
- Find an answer with reliable evidence
that you can support
- Draft/State Your question and working
Hypothesis
Now that you’ve settled on a topic of interest and have your specific
question you want to answer it’s time to gather data.
Where to Find Sources
Once you know what you’re researching, you can start looking for data you’ll
need to support your reasons and test your hypothesis. A good research project
typically uses a mix of sources rather than relying on just one type.
Common places to find sources include:
- Academic databases (Google
Scholar, JSTOR, PubMed, etc.)
- University or college library
websites
- Scholarly journals and books
- Government websites (.gov)
- Educational organizations (.edu)
- Professional associations
You should also understand how scholars view the levels of source. Is it
primary, secondary or tertiary level? Or roughly put, firsthand, secondhand or
thirdhand information. You will also
have to consider the difference between scholarly and popular
sources. Scholarly sources are written by experts, often peer-reviewed, and
include citations. Popular sources are written for general audiences and may
not be reviewed or thoroughly referenced. Knowing this difference will help you
decide which sources are appropriate for your project.
Knowing if a Source is Credible and
Appropriate
Not every source you find will be reliable. Evaluating credibility is an
essential part of the research process. Here are some quick questions you can ask
yourself to test relevance and reliability:
- Is the information current?
- Is the author qualified or a
reputable scholar?
- Is the information published by a
reputable press?
You can also look for these indicators of credibility:
- Author credentials and
institutional affiliation
- References or professional journals
- Peer-reviewed publication
- Frequently cited by others
Reliable research is based on evidence and verifiable information rather
than opinion alone. Even statistics or data should be checked carefully.
How to Incorporate Sources Into
Writing
You have gathered your data, evaluated your sources, what next? You need
to integrate them effectively into your writing. Sources should support your
ideas, not replace them.
There are three main ways to incorporate sources:
1. Paraphrasing
Rewrite the information in your own words while keeping the original meaning.
2. Quoting
Use the exact words from a source when wording is especially important. Quotes
should be short and clearly introduced.
3. Summarizing
Condense the main idea of a longer source into a brief overview.
When using sources:
- Introduce the source (author,
context, claim)
- Present the information
- Explain how it supports your
argument
- Cite it properly according to
your required style (APA, MLA, etc.)
Where to Find More Information
If you want to learn more about the research process and getting started,
these credible resources provide clear guidance:
- Liberty University Online Writing
Lab — Research and citation guides for students and professionals. https://www.liberty.edu/casas/academic-success-center/writing-center/#lab
- Scribbr — Step-by-step tutorials
on evaluating sources and citations. https://www.scribbr.com/
- Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) —
Research and citation guides for students and professionals. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/index.html
These resources explain research fundamentals, source evaluation, and
citation practices in more depth. They are widely used in academic settings and
provide reliable starting points for developing research skills.
Final Thoughts
The research process and getting started doesn’t need to be complicated.
Start with a question—one that you or your audience genuinely want answered. From there:
- Gather relevant and reliable sources
- Evaluate credibility
- Integrate information thoughtfully into your writing
Most importantly: just start.
You don’t need to get everything right the first time. Refining your process as you go isn’t just allowed—it’s part of becoming a better researcher.
