Research Process: Size Up Your Assignment

The first step in the research process is to examine your assignment to determine what the professor is looking for and what guidelines he/she has given you for the assignment. In particular, take note of the following:

• Topic: Has the instructor assigned a specific topic or topics for you to write about, or can you choose a subject of interest to you within the scope of the course?

• Type of research: Does the assignment require original research (such as a survey or experiment that you conduct) or does it require secondary research (the interpretation of previously published research found in books or journal articles)?

• Scope: Does the instructor want you to analyse a topic from different viewpoints, or do you need to take one position and defend it?

• Sources: Are you required to use a certain number and/or type of sources in your research?

• Presentation: Does the instructor want a cover sheet and/or abstract? Is the instructor expecting the paper to include graphs or charts? Is the paper to be typed or can it be hand-written?

• Length: Has the instructor set a page or word limit on the paper?

• Format: Has the instructor given any guidelines regarding the layout of the paper, such as line spacing or use of page numbers?

• Citation style: Has the instructor specified a citation style for you to use in citing your sources? If not, which style is appropriate for your subject?

• Due date: When is your paper due? Do you have enough time to obtain all the materials you will need?