Materials: Your Research Project

• Research Steps
• Information
• Inspiration

Research Steps

Below are some steps to consider when you get your assignment. Remember, you can always ask for help along the way from your professor, the Center for Academic Achievement, and reference staff at the Ludcke Library. You can also take a tutor with you as you explore Ludcke offerings.

1. Get Started
   • make sure you understand the assignment
   • plan a timeline for the project
   • brainstorm possible topics
2. Explore, Then Choose a Topic
   • browse the computerized catalogue to find out how much information is available on your possible topics
   • find some basic information on your possible topics
   • read and reflect on what you have learned to narrow down your topic
3. Research Your Chosen Topic
   • find additional source material
   • take notes
   • collect information as you read for your citations and bibliography (see #6)
4. Prepare to Write
   • review and organize your notes
   • make an outline, map, or list of points to include
5. Write, Revise, Rewrite
   • ask for help if you get "stuck" or need feedback on content, organization, or editing
6. Complete Your Citations
   • consult manuals and help sheets for proper formats for in-text citations and bibliography
7. Assess One Last Time
   • proofread, add any finishing touches, and submit your project
8. Congratulate Yourself
   • You did it!

Information

THE CENTER FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Call (617)349-8459 for an appointment.

The Center for Academic Achievement offers all Lesley students one-hour tutorials to help with the following:

• Understanding your assignments
• Brainstorming research topics
• Organizing your projects and papers
• Managing your time and avoiding procrastination
• Reading complex materials and taking notes
• Overcoming feelings of panic or being stuck
• Quoting and citing your sources, making a bibliography
• Writing and revising
• Finding the research system that works best for you!

THE LUDCKE LIBRARY

Call (617)349-8872 for information

The library offers students help in learning to use its resources independently. Library staff can help you with the following:

• Locating resources on your topic such as books, articles, media, etc.
• Using the library computer catalogue, subject databases and other equipment needed to use library materials
• Completing citation information
• Accessing the resources of other libraries, including obtaining books and articles through interlibrary loan

The library also provides handouts and bibliographies on specific topics as well as help sheets on citation formats.

Inspiration

Remember that this handout illustrates just one way of approaching your research project. Even if you choose to follow the steps outlined above, you may find that one takes only twenty minutes while another may take several days. You may also discover that some parts of the process are easy for you, while others are a bit more challenging. That's perfectly fine - each research project will be as unique as the person undertaking it. We hope that the services offered by the Library and the Center for Academic Achievement can help you along the way, and we invite questions and suggestions on how we can best serve you.

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