How to Start the Research Process

Choose a subject that interests you!

This makes the research process more enjoyable. 

What if my instructor already gave me a topic...

If your instructor provided a list of possible topics, you may still need to find a focus within the broader topic. See the Refine Your Topic page for help.

Develop a research question or thesis statement

This is an important step that helps you direct your research by focusing on a specific position or point of view.

As the name implies, a research question will end with a question mark. For example, on the topic of hospital infections, an appropriate research question could be “Does hand washing among healthcare workers reduce hospital-acquired infections?"

During the research process, you will try to answer your research question with the information you find from a variety of credible sources. To create a strong research question, remember to keep it...

• Open-Ended: to ensure that you explore credible, academic resources to provide a sufficient answer.
• Simple: At this stage, try to make your research question as simple as possible. You will be learning more about your topic over time and can adapt your research question as you go.
  • Too complicated: How does childhood obesity correlate with academic performance in elementary school children in southern Missouri?
  • Simplified: What are the effects of childhood obesity in the United States?