Science Research Basics: Science Research Overview

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Welcome!

Welcome to this library guide for conducting science research. The goal of this guide is to walk you through selecting a topic, finding credible resources, source evaluation and selection, and citing sources appropriately. It is intended to support you while working through a research project or assignment in science. 

Steps to getting started on a great research project!

1. Brainstorm ideas for a topic:

• What interests you?
• Do you have a strong opinion about a social or political issue?
• Is there a topic you’d like to learn more about?
• Bounce ideas around with a friend or classmate.

2. Gather background information:

• Read general information on the topics you are considering.
• Make sure the topic you choose is manageable and that information is available.
• Make note of the terms you encounter.

3. Formulate questions:

• Pose questions to yourself that will give your research direction.
• Start broad and then begin to focus your topic. 

For example, topics such as “climate change” and “the environment” are too broad. But if you pose the question, “What are the primary causes of climate change?” you will get more focused. You can also limit a topic by geographical region, population group or time frame.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​4. Generate keywords:

• Use your questions to make a list of searchable keywords.
• Make a list of synonyms as well as related broader and narrower search terms.

Example: The keyword or term in the example question is climate change. Synonyms would be greenhouse effect or global warming and a related term might be ozone depletion.