Creating a research plan

As you begin your research project, whether it is a research paper or a much larger research project, it is important to begin by creating a research plan. A research plan helps you to think through the project, and identify key milestones and specific items to accomplish.

Some important things to think about include:

Research topic

• What are major concepts in my topic?
• How else could these concepts be described (i.e., what other terms can be used to describe them)?

Sources

• What kinds of sources do I need (e.g. books, journal articles)?
• What kind of resources do I need to search (e.g. library catalogues, journal databases)?

Keeping organized

• How will I keep track of the information I find?
• What strategies will I use to identify quotes, paraphrases, and my own thoughts when reviewing the literature I find?

It can be helpful to keep a research journal in which you keep track of:

• search strategies you use in locating information
• databases and resources you search

A research journal can also be used as you evaluate the sources of information that you find, to determine whether the sources are relevant or not.

You may also wish to consider using a citation management tool, such as Zotero or Mendeley.

It is also helpful to identify a strategy for taking notes, identifying quotes, and your own thoughts before you begin reviewing any sources that you find. This will help you to avoid accidentally plagiarizing a source, and can help you to synthesize the information you have found.

Here is a list of some of the resources that you may wish to consult when planning your research:

• AU Library Guide to the Research Process
• Tips for Searching
• Evaluating Web Information