Research Guides: Biology Subject Guide: Starting Your Research

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This tool helps you plan and manage your assignment by breaking it into manageable steps. To get started, simply enter the name of your project, select your assignment’s start date and due date using the calendar, and hit “Calculate Steps.” The calculator will provide a customized timeline with key tasks and deadlines to guide you through the process. Each step contains useful resources to help you complete your assignment efficiently.

Research Assignment Guide
by Alicia Arding Last Updated May 10, 2024 1744 views this year

This guide provides you with resources from our research companion video tutorials. It is broken down into different section and is self guided, allowing you to select the area of information you may need help with.

The Research Paper
This resource by the Douglas College Learning Centre takes you through the stages of developing a typical research paper

Simplified Research Process

Step 1: Read Your Assignment Thoroughly

Make sure you understand all requirements

length of paper
writing style and citations styles
Writing requirements (ie. must have 1 direct quote and one block quote)
types of resources needed (ie. Newspaper articles, government documents, scholarly peer reviewed articles, websites etc.)

Check with your instructor if you have any questions or concerns

Step 2: Identify and Develop Your Topic

Some instructors outline certain topic you can write on. Identify any restrictions or requirements.

Try to select a topic of interest to you this will make the writing and research process more enjoyable.

Once you have chosen your topic try to pose it as a question.

Example Topic: Climate Change

Example Topic Question: What are the Effects of Climate Change?

Step 3: Do Preliminary Research

Doing preliminary research will help you identify if your topic is too broad (too much information) or too narrow (not enough information).

Use your class notes/textbook/ library books and the internet to find information on your topic. This will help Identify narrower topics that are more re-searchable.

Step 4: Develop a Search Strategy

Identify the key concepts from your research topic.

Example research topic: How has the global food supply been impacted by climate change?

climate change AND food supply

Identify related words or synonyms related to your key terms

Example of Climate Change Synonyms	Example of Food Supply Synonym
Global Warming	Farming
Extreme weather	Agriculture

Step 5: Locate and Evaluate Your Resources

Use the Douglas College Library Databases and other credible sources which can be found throughout this guide using the navigation menu on the left hand side to locate and evaluate your resources.

Step 6: Write Your Thesis Statement

Use the resources on the Thesis Statement to learn what it is and how to create one.

Step 7: Make Notes & Develop an Outline

Have a look at the Douglas College Learning Centre's Doing research and taking notes page for tips and trick to approaching your research articles.

When you are ready to write your outline, have a look at the Creating an Outline resource from the Douglas College Learning Centre

Step 8: Start Writing

Now that you have your resources and outline complete you can start writing your paper. If you need more help with your writing you can book an appointment with a writing tutor, or view all the Douglas College Learning Centre writing resources.