Dr. John's

Eazy-Peazy Guide to Research Skills

by John F. Barber  

Getting Started

Ask Questions
As a way of getting started, ask questions about something you want to know more about. These questions become the focus of your research, the central idea, the thesis. You investigate these questions and then report about what you have learned. Select "Put It In Writing" in the menu to the left to learn more about this.

Two Types of Research
  1. Primary Research
    You make your own discoveries through original research or experimentation
    Some written sources, especially those produced by those close to or actual participating in the topic you are researching, can be considered primary sources
  2. Secondary Research
    You learn what others have previously discovered or thought about a topic
    Method used is often library research, using texts


Your Research Topic
Frame your research topic in the form of questions or a hypotheses (theories about potential answers). Research questions may help direct and focus your research. Good research questions should be