TEN BASIC STEPS INVOLVED IN
DOING A RESEARCH REPORT

1.

Choose a subject and limit it to a specific topic.

2.

Do some general background reading, jotting down the main ideas you think belong in a paper on your topic.

3.

Organize your ideas in a logical sequence. This is your preliminary outline.

4

List all the sources you think you may be able to use for your report. This is your working bibliography.

5.

Locate the sources listed in your working bibliography, and other useful information.

6.

Read carefully and take notes based on your sources.

7.

Organize your notes and prepare the final outline.

8.

Write, revise and rewrite your report. If you are making an oral report, practice speaking from notes.

9.

Prepare the documentation (footnotes and bibliography) in final form.

10.

Type (or neatly write) a final copy to hand in and (if oral) practice.

Source: How to do Research. World Book Encyclopedia, Vol. 22, p. 9.