Graduate Biology: The Research Process

Research is about asking probing questions of the relevant information available in the scholarly literature.  Research can also involve generating your own data and information through personal experience (e.g. structured interviews, oral histories, and surveys).

The process is illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1. The Research Process

After you've narrowed your topic:

• Use the book literature to provide a broad overview of the topic you wish to research.  Use WorldCat and Dominican's online catalog to compile a working bibliography of books and films that may be helpful in understanding your topic.

• Once you have a basic understanding of the topic, try searching Dominican's databases to find more focused, peer-reviewed literature on your research topic. 

• Also, consider relevant government or recognized association websites.  Examples of such websites are available in this LibGuide under the tab, "Websites to Get You Started."

• Make an appointment with a librarian.

• To format your bibliographic citations in whichever citation style your instructor prefers, try using RefWorks found on the Library's homepage.

• Use the handout on Intellectual Standards for Research below to help you evaluate your sources.

• Consult with your instructors, librarians, and relevant community members to help identify a useful and interesting research topic.

• Get an overview of the topic you're interested in researching.  This overview should include different ways of approaching the topic. Brainstorm on the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How of the aspects your topic.

• Use these aspects of the topic to help refine your research question and generate search terms.

• Use the worksheet below to help narrow your topic & construct your thesis.