The Research Process: Step by Step  

Use the drop down arrow in the "About" tab to find out more about the JSC Information Literacy Graduation Standard.

The research process typically includes five broad steps. Most often you complete one step before moving onto the next. However, there may be times when you will need to return to a previous step or complete multiple steps simultaneously.

Step 1. Develop a topic
Selecting a Topic | Develop Research Questions | Identify Keywords | Find Background Information | Refine a Topic

Step 2. Locate information
Find Books | Find Videos | Find Articles | Find Websites | Search Strategies

Step 3. Evaluate and analyze information and sources
Evaluate Sources | Primary vs. Secondary Sources | Types of Periodicals

Step 4. Use, organize and communicate information
Notetaking | Paraphrasing

Step 5. Comply with legal, ethical and moral standards
Plagiarism | MLA Citation Style | Works Cited Examples

Librarians at the JWU Denver campus created the original Libguide. With their permission, we have adapted the pathfinder for the JSC academic community.