STEP 1: Determine AndDefine Your Topic
* Determine Topic: Topic Suggestions
* Define: Narrow or Broaden Your Topic (If you find too much information, narrow your topic; if you find too few sources, broaden your topic)
* State Your Topic as a Question to be Researched and Answered

STEP 2: Gather Background Information
* Background information is necessary to help you define your topic; it will help lead you to additional research sources in the future; and it will give you an overview of difficult and challenging aspects of your project.
* Start with reference books, sites like Wikipedia, and recent magazines articles such as Time or Newsweek.

STEP 3: Research Books, Databases, and other Sources
* Infotrac
* CCHS databases
* CCHS book catalog
* Public library
* Congressional Quarterly Index (find printed copies in the reference section)

STEP 4: Evaluate Sources and Materials
Online Tutorial: Evaluating Sources
Source Evaluation Criteria:
* What are the author's qualification or credentials? Is there even an author named?
* Has the article been reviewed by an editor or editorial board?
* Is the source current or dated? Some sources will never be out of date; other topics might require publications with in the past year).
* Is there a bibliography or a list of references?
* What are the credentials or the reputation of publisher?
* What type of publication is the source? Is it scholarly or more pop culture?
* Is the information in this source supported by evidence in other sources?
* Is the source a primary source, or has it been reported second hand?

STEP 5: Write, Revise, and Edit Your Paper (General research writing advice)
* Merlin: Online, interactive tutorial for writing research papers
* Cornell University: The 7 Step Research Paper Writing Process
* The Write Source: About the MLA Style
* NoodleQuest

STEP 6: Cite Your Sources
* Knightcite
* How to cite (CCHS INFO, CQ Researcher, etc.)
* Online Citation Styles