A research project, weather it is a traditional a paper, a video, or  a multimedia presentation, is the end product of a thinking process  which involves student-centered questioning.

Research is a life skill. We are always seeking information. Our ability to use  information helps us reach conclusions, make are choices, and communicate  more effectively.

The research process and writing process are connected. Research is of little  value unless you effectively communicate what you have learned. The same skills that you use to write an explanation paper are used to develop the  research paper or project. Developing a clear and focused thesis, sketching an  outline, drafting, revising, peer reviewing, and editing are steps which you are already familiar with.

Gather a list of books, articles, and other sources of information on your topic. 

Even if you are not sure the source will have what you what, keep accurate  information on every source in case you do need it later. If you are using  Web pages, you might want to print out the first page of the document, and  make sure the URL is printed on the page.

Keep separate 3X5 cards for every new source. Write on each one the following information:
1. All of the publication information needed to include the work in your
final works cited pages.
2. All of the information on each card in proper MLA form.
3. A code letter to connect your source card to note cards taken from the source.

Taking Notes
If you prepare your notes properly, you will find it much easier to organize your  material later and to complete your project. Make clear, on each note card, from  what source your notes came from and what page. Also make your notes clear.  Doing this from the beginning will save time later. 

1. Write your notes on 4x6 index cards
2. Write on one side only
3. On any one card, write notes only on one narrow topic and from one source only.
4. Take notes in your own words as briefly as possible.

5. If you are writing an exact quotation of someone else's words, copy the quotation exactly. Enclose the quotation in quotation marks. Also include the name of the person you are quoting and that person's position.

No research is complete without a list of the materials from which you have borrowed ideas, facts, opinions, or quotes. You created a list of sources when you filled out your source cards. Now you must create the list to accompany you paper so that a reader can see you sources.

The completed draft of your project should include the following:
1. A title page, containing the title, your signature, your name, the teacher's name, the specific class, and the date of submission.
2. Acknowledgments page.
3. The text of the paper. Number only the pages of the text, beginning with page 2.
4. Works cited
5. Works Consulted
Note: Include these sections in all projects, multimedia as well as traditional papers!

Note: These steps are not necessarily performed in the following exact order.
You may need to go back to some questions several times.

1. Identify the problem

Can I state my search problem in clear questions?
What type of information do I need?
How much information do I need?

2. Select appropriate databases or search tools

 Does the search tool or database cover my subject?
Can I understand the information contained in it?

3. Brainstorm keywords

What are my major concepts?
What synonyms, broader or narrower terms, or related ideas could I use?

4. Subject vs. keyword search/subject directory vs. search engine

Do I have more than one search to complete?
Am I browsing for a topic or looking for a way narrow or broaden a topic?

5. Refine the search online

Are my hits relevant, readable, accessible?
Have I tried different combinations of keywords?
Is my topic doable? Should I consider another topic?

6. Evaluate the search offline: examine the printout: ask, "What if?"

How relevant were my results?
Which of the results are best?
 Are there additional keyword clues in my printout?