1.  Analyze your information need

• Write a question or statement about your chosen topic
• Identify key words and phrases that describe your topic
• Determine:
  • The level of coverage and depth of the information needed
  • The type of information needed
  • How much information you need
  • The currency of the information needed
  • How soon you need the information
  • What disciplines or groups would be researching and writing about your topic

2.  Select the best types of information sources for your paper/project/presentation

• Books (including eBooks, dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc.)    
• Articles from journals, magazines, or newspapers
• Videos / Audios
• Websites

3.  Select the appropriate resources in which to search

Start with the following pages in this guide:

• Encyclopedias/Dictionaries
• Books & eBooks
• Journal Articles
• Newspaper Articles
• Media

4.  Conduct effective, efficient searches using "smart searching" techniques
      (The Conducting Effective Searches guide can help with this)

5.  Determine the relevance and reliability of the information sources you located
      (This Evaluating Sources of Information guide can help with this)

6.  Develop a working bibliography/reference list 
      (RefWorks can help with this!  Check out the RefWorks (Citation Manager) guide)

7.  Physically locate the desired material 
      (Sometimes this may mean requesting from another library)
      (The Locating Full-Text Articles guide can help with this)

8.  Read and think critically about your sources

9.  Write/develop an effective research paper/project/presentation
      (Resources on the Citation & Writing Help page in this guide can help you with this)

10.  Correctly cite the information sources you used (e.g., using APA Style) 
        (Resources on the Citation & Writing Help page in this guide can help you with this)
        (RefWorks can help with this too!)