The research process requires several steps:
Brainstorm for ideas for topics.
Consult with teacher, media specialist, family, friends.
Choose a topic of interest to you that is appropriate and manageable.
Identify search terms and related words.
What do you already know about the topic?
List questions you want to answer.
Create a statement for defining your topic and indicating direction.
What type of information is needed?
What resources will I need to find the type of information?
Locate and evaluate your resources.
Maintain a working bibliography.
Use summarizing, paraphrasing and quoting when note taking.
Avoid plagiarism.
Separate your notes into stacks of related information.
Label each stack as to type of information.
Arrange stacks in order of presentation. Follow a logical pattern.
Develop an outline using main ideas and supporting points.
Write a rough draft by presentation format (written report, oral report, PP presentation, poster, etc.)
Proof and edit your work.
Create final presentation.
Present your information.
Judge your product.
Judge your process.
MLA style http://www.mal.org/main_stl.htm
APA / MLA Citation Styles http://www.english.uluc.edu/cws/workshop/bibliostyles.htm
MLA Interactive Forms http://www.nueva.pvt.k12.ca.us/flibrary,html
Documenting Electronic Resources http://owl.english.purdue.edu/writers/documenting,html