R1-a: Managing the project

R1-aManage the project.

When you start on a research project, you need to understand the assignment, choose a direction, and quickly grasp the big picture for the topic you choose. The following tips will help you manage the beginning phase of research.

Managing time

Before beginning a research project, set a realistic schedule of deadlines for researching and for drafting, revising, and documenting the paper in the style recommended by your instructor (see the tabbed dividers marked MLA and APA/CMS). One student created a calendar to map out his tasks for a paper assigned on October 3 and due October 31, keeping in mind that some tasks might overlap or need to be repeated. See below.

Keeping a research log

Research is a process. As your topic evolves, you may find yourself asking new questions that require you to create a new search strategy, find additional sources, or revise your initial assumptions. A research log helps you bring order to this process by keeping accurate records of the sources you read and your ideas about them. You might want to use a separate hard copy notebook for your log or create a digital file or set of files. Keeping an accurate source trail and working bibliography, and separating your own insights and ideas from those of your sources, will help you become a more efficient and effective researcher.

sample calendar for a research assignment

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Getting the big picture

As you consider a possible research topic, set aside some time to learn what people are saying about it by reading sources on the Web or in library databases. Ask yourself questions such as these:

Once you have an aerial view of the topic and are familiar with some of the existing research, you can zoom in closer to examine subtopics and debates that look interesting.