IDS 390 Interdisciplinary Research Design / Blakeley

We conduct research for a variety of reasons, and our final research products can take many different forms. From research papers, to presentations, to op-eds, to blog posts, to websites, to digital exhibits, etc. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you work on a research project.

• Research is iterative - you might have to repeat steps, go back and refine your topic, run a variety of searches to find sources. It can be a lengthy and at times messy process!
• Think about your deliverable and your audience - what are you creating and who are you creating it for? The types of sources you use, and how you put your sources together, can vary depending on whether or not you are writing a scholarly paper or creating an online exhibit.
• Stay organized - staying organized can ensure that you are keeping track of your various sources and ideas, and can help you avoid plagiarism by making sure that you have the information you need to cite your sources properly.

Research assignments often occur in stages, such as beginning with a proposal or an annotated bibliography. For more information on annotated bibliographies, and how they can help you with your research assignment, see this guide from Purdue OWL.

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