1. Identify Research Topic
- Explore your academic interests and identify a potential research area.
- Consider the relevance and feasibility of the topic.
- Seek advice from professors or advisors if needed.
- Document your initial thoughts and ideas.
2. Write Background and Context
- Provide a comprehensive background of the chosen research area.
- Explain the current state of knowledge and key theories.
- Highlight gaps or unresolved issues in the literature.
- Describe why this topic is worth investigating.
3. Formulate Research Question
- Craft a clear and concise research question that addresses a specific problem.
- Ensure the question is researchable and contributes to the field.
- Seek feedback from peers or professors to refine your question.
4. Define Research Objectives
- Develop SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) research objectives.
- Explain how achieving these objectives will help answer the research question.
5. Outline Research Methodology
- Describe the research methods you intend to use (e.g., surveys, experiments, interviews, data analysis).
- Explain why these methods are appropriate for your research.
- Discuss any ethical considerations.
6. Collect 10 Sources
- Search for academic sources in English from different journals.
- Ensure that the sources are recent and relevant to your research.
- Make sure you have access to the full texts of the articles.
Appendix: Recommendations for Source Collection and Harvard Referencing
Finding Sources:
- University Library Resources: Utilize your university library’s online databases and catalogs. Contact your librarian for guidance on accessing academic journals.
- Online Academic Databases: Explore databases like JSTOR, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus.
- Research Gateways: Visit websites like ResearchGate, which often provide access to academic papers and research.
- Citation Managers: Consider using citation management software like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote to organize and cite your sources.
Harvard Referencing System:
- Harvard Referencing Guide: Access your university’s specific Harvard referencing guide for detailed instructions. If not available, refer to this Harvard Referencing Guide.
- Harvard Citation Generator: Use online tools like Cite This For Me or Citeulike for generating Harvard-style citations.
Tips for Success:
- Keep detailed notes of your research process, including publication details for each source.
- Use reference management software to organize your sources and automatically generate citations. (Zotero.org).
- Always provide proper attribution to avoid plagiarism.
- Proofread your work for consistent formatting and accuracy in referencing.
David Guardo, Ph.D david.guardo@campuscesine.com
