My Research Project Activities

The activities below are downloadable, customizable versions of the “My Research Project” activities in The Bedford Researcher. They provide guidance for specific tasks and steps throughout the research writing process, and they help you keep track of your sources, information, and ideas. You might use My Research Project activities in class or as part of your research log or portfolio.

Create a Research Log

Find a Written Conversation

Create a Project Timeline

Generate Ideas by Brainstorming

Generate Ideas by Freewriting

Generate Ideas by Looping

Generate Ideas by Clustering

Generate Ideas with Sentence Starters

Create a Plan to Explore Your Topic

Record Your Search Results

Manage Sources in Your Research Log

Explore Your Topic

Choose an Issue within Your Topic

Generate a Matrix of Research Questions

Create a Research Proposal

Draft a Position Statement

Note Connections among Sources

Conduct a Source Evaluation

Use Evaluation to Trim a Working Bibliography

Respond to Sources

Create a Working or Annotated Bibliography

Conduct a Knowledge Inventory

Identify Search Terms

Plan Advanced Searches

Prepare to Search Library Catalogs

Record Searches

Discuss Your Research Project with Others

Identify Relevant Disciplinary Print Resources

Discuss Your Research Project with a Librarian

Assess the Relevance of Field Research Methods

Generate Draft Thesis Statements

Refine Your Thesis Statement

Select Evidence to Support Your Reasons

Decide How to Appeal to Your Readers

Arrange an Argument by Clustering

Create and Review Your Outline

Analyze a Target Publication

Review Your Working Bibliography