Definition of Research

"A search or investigation directed to the discovery of some fact by careful consideration or study of a subject; a course of critical or scientific inquiry. To search into (a matter or subject); to investigate or study closely. Also, to engage in research upon (a subject, a person, etc.)" - from Oxford English Dictionary

Interpretations of Research - What does it mean to you? 

What it means to you depends largely on the context of your assignments or interests. There are many components to the idea of research, some of which are listed below. Finding a topic, initially quite broad perhaps, but narrowing it down by….

• ….Developing a research question or thesis statement
• Locating resources to provide information about the topic (and to help answer the research question)
• Evaluating resources to determine if they are appropriate for your work
• Reading the resources
• Organizing the data and information you find in/from the resources
• Analyzing the info and putting it all together (synthesis) in a way such that the research question or thesis statement is resolved
• Writing it up in a paper or a lab report
• Citing the resources used and creating a bibliography
• Presenting the information

Librarians are happy to help in all areas, but keep in mind the best people in some areas may be others. For example, for help with finding a topic and developing a research question, your professor is probably the best person with whom to work. And for help with organizing information, doing analysis/synthesis, and writing your paper it might be best to discuss ideas with your professor and people in the WCSU Writing Center, which is located on the third floor in Haas Library.