| Research is an essential component of the sciences. It | | | | component of the sub-topic to explore in their |
| is used to learn more about topics we are all ready | | | | research project. |
| aware of, as well as to discover topics and concepts | | | | #4 – Develop a Hypothesis or Thesis Statement |
| that we are not aware of yet. There are many | | | | The next step is to develop a hypothesis or thesis |
| different types of research that can be conducted by | | | | statement. A hypothesis is a prediction about a cause |
| students, however, regardless of what type of | | | | and effect relationship between two specific variables. |
| research a student wants to conduct they will need to | | | | A thesis statement is a position that a basic |
| take the same basic initial steps. | | | | information research project will try to support. Both of |
| #1 – Ask Questions About the World | | | | these things are used to focus a research project and |
| The first step in conducting any kind of research is to | | | | the project’s written report. |
| ask questions about the world. This step will help the | | | | #5 – Conduct a Literature Review |
| student to identify topics and areas of interest. This is | | | | Step five is to conduct a literature review on the topic |
| a very important step as it helps to focus the | | | | that you have selected for your research project. This |
| student’s search for a research idea. | | | | literature review will want to address the research that |
| Questions can focus on things that the student is | | | | has all ready been conducted on the variables you |
| curious about. They can focus on things that the | | | | have selected for your project. It is also a good idea to |
| student has noticed. They can even focus on things | | | | conduct research on the relationship between the two |
| that the student is interested in on a personal level, | | | | variables that you have selected, if that research |
| such as sports or recreation activities. | | | | exists. |
| #2 – Select a Topic | | | | #6 – Develop a Research Proposal |
| The next step is to select a topic to research. This | | | | The final step is to develop a research proposal. This |
| topic needs to be interesting to the student and it | | | | step is basically writing up the main components of |
| needs to fit the requirements developed by their | | | | your research paper. It will include a preliminary |
| teacher or by the person who assigned the research | | | | abstract, an introduction, your hypothesis statement or |
| project. Topics are generally broad to begin with, such | | | | thesis statement, the methodology that you plan on |
| as an area of science. They are then narrowed down | | | | using, your literature review and an overview of what |
| by asking questions and conducting general research | | | | you think you will discover with your research. This is a |
| on the topic. | | | | step that college students usually have to take. It is not |
| #3 – Conduct Background Research | | | | usually required of younger students, but it is a good |
| When the student has their research topic narrowed | | | | practice to get into as it encourages you to complete |
| down to a sub-topic, they will need to conduct a | | | | the elements of your final report as you work on your |
| general background study of that sub-topic. In this step | | | | research project as opposed to when you have |
| the student will be developing their understanding of | | | | finished it. |
| the topic and they will be searching for a very specific | | | | |