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Steps of the research process

This is an excerpt from Applied Research and Evaluation Methods in Recreation  By Diane C.

Blankenship.

Scientific research involves a systematic process that focuses on being objective and gathering a multitude
of information for analysis so that the researcher can come to a conclusion. This process is used in all
research and evaluation projects, regardless of the research method (scientific method of inquiry,
evaluation research, or action research). The process focuses on testing hunches or ideas in a park and
recreation setting through a systematic process. In this process, the study is documented in such a way that
another individual can conduct the same study again. This is referred to as replicating the study. Any
research done without documenting the study so that others can review the process and results is not an
investigation using the scientific research process. The scientific research process is a multiple-step process
where the steps are interlinked with the other steps in the process. If changes are made in one step of the
process, the researcher must review all the other steps to ensure that the changes are reflected throughout
the process. Parks and recreation professionals are often involved in conducting research or evaluation
projects within the agency. These professionals need to understand the eight steps of the research process
as they apply to conducting a study. Table 2.4 lists the steps of the research process and provides an
example of each step for a sample research study.
Step 1: Identify the Problem
The first step in the process is to identify a problem or develop a research question. The research problem
may be something the agency identifies as a problem, some knowledge or information that is needed by the
agency, or the desire to identify a recreation trend nationally. In the example in table 2.4, the problem that
the agency has identified is childhood obesity, which is a local problem and concern within the
community. This serves as the focus of the study.

Step 2: Review the Literature

Now that the problem has been identified, the researcher must learn more about the topic under
investigation. To do this, the researcher must review the literature related to the research problem. This
step provides foundational knowledge about the problem area. The review of literature also educates the
researcher about what studies have been conducted in the past, how these studies were conducted, and the
conclusions in the problem area. In the obesity study, the review of literature enables the programmer to
discover horrifying statistics related to the long-term effects of childhood obesity in terms of health issues,
death rates, and projected medical costs. In addition, the programmer finds several articles and information
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that describe the benefits of walking 10,000 steps a
day. The information discovered during this step helps the programmer fully understand the magnitude of
the problem, recognize the future consequences of obesity, and identify a strategy to combat obesity (i.e.,
walking).
Step 3: Clarify the Problem
Many times the initial problem identified in the first step of the process is too large or broad in scope. In
step 3 of the process, the researcher clarifies the problem and narrows the scope of the study. This can only
be done after the literature has been reviewed. The knowledge gained through the review of literature
guides the researcher in clarifying and narrowing the research project. In the example, the programmer has
identified childhood obesity as the problem and the purpose of the study. This topic is very broad and
could be studied based on genetics, family environment, diet, exercise, self-confidence, leisure activities,
or health issues. All of these areas cannot be investigated in a single study; therefore, the problem and
purpose of the study must be more clearly defined. The programmer has decided that the purpose of the
study is to determine if walking 10,000 steps a day for three days a week will improve the individual’s
health. This purpose is more narrowly focused and researchable than the original problem.
Step 4: Clearly Define Terms and Concepts
Terms and concepts are words or phrases used in the purpose statement of the study or the description of
the study. These items need to be specifically defined as they apply to the study. Terms or concepts often
have different definitions depending on who is reading the study. To minimize confusion about what the
terms and phrases mean, the researcher must specifically define them for the study. In the obesity study,
the concept of “individual’s health” can be defined in hundreds of ways, such as physical, mental,
emotional, or spiritual health. For this study, the individual’s health is defined as physical health. The
concept of physical health may also be defined and measured in many ways. In this case, the programmer
decides to more narrowly define “individual health” to refer to the areas of weight, percentage of body fat,
and cholesterol. By defining the terms or concepts more narrowly, the scope of the study is more
manageable for the programmer, making it easier to collect the necessary data for the study. This also
makes the concepts more understandable to the reader.
Step 5: Define the Population
Research projects can focus on a specific group of people, facilities, park development, employee
evaluations, programs, financial status, marketing efforts, or the integration of technology into the
operations. For example, if a researcher wants to examine a specific group of people in the community, the
study could examine a specific age group, males or females, people living in a specific geographic area, or
a specific ethnic group. Literally thousands of options are available to the researcher to specifically identify
the group to study. The research problem and the purpose of the study assist the researcher in identifying
the group to involve in the study. In research terms, the group to involve in the study is always called the
population. Defining the population assists the researcher in several ways. First, it narrows the scope of the
study from a very large population to one that is manageable. Second, the population identifies the group
that the researcher’s efforts will be focused on within the study. This helps ensure that the researcher stays
on the right path during the study. Finally, by defining the population, the researcher identifies the group
that the results will apply to at the conclusion of the study. In the example in table 2.4, the programmer has
identified the population of the study as children ages 10 to 12 years. This narrower population makes the
study more manageable in terms of time and resources.
Step 6: Develop the Instrumentation Plan
The plan for the study is referred to as the instrumentation plan. The instrumentation plan serves as the
road map for the entire study, specifying who will participate in the study; how, when, and where data will
be collected; and the content of the program. This plan is composed of numerous decisions and
considerations that are addressed in chapter 8 of this text. In the obesity study, the researcher has decided
to have the children participate in a walking program for six months. The group of participants is called the
sample, which is a smaller group selected from the population specified for the study. The study cannot
possibly include every 10- to 12-year-old child in the community, so a smaller group is used to represent
the population. The researcher develops the plan for the walking program, indicating what data will be
collected, when and how the data will be collected, who will collect the data, and how the data will be
analyzed. The instrumentation plan specifies all the steps that must be completed for the study. This
ensures that the programmer has carefully thought through all these decisions and that she provides a step-
by-step plan to be followed in the study.
Step 7: Collect Data
Once the instrumentation plan is completed, the actual study begins with the collection of data. The
collection of data is a critical step in providing the information needed to answer the research question.
Every study includes the collection of some type of data—whether it is from the literature or from subjects
—to answer the research question. Data can be collected in the form of words on a survey, with a
questionnaire, through observations, or from the literature. In the obesity study, the programmers will be
collecting data on the defined variables: weight, percentage of body fat, cholesterol levels, and the number
of days the person walked a total of 10,000 steps during the class.
The researcher collects these data at the first session and at the last session of the program. These two sets
of data are necessary to determine the effect of the walking program on weight, body fat, and cholesterol
level. Once the data are collected on the variables, the researcher is ready to move to the final step of the
process, which is the data analysis.
Step 8: Analyze the Data
All the time, effort, and resources dedicated to steps 1 through 7 of the research process culminate in this
final step. The researcher finally has data to analyze so that the research question can be answered. In the
instrumentation plan, the researcher specified how the data will be analyzed. The researcher now analyzes
the data according to the plan. The results of this analysis are then reviewed and summarized in a manner
directly related to the research questions. In the obesity study, the researcher compares the measurements
of weight, percentage of body fat, and cholesterol that were taken at the first meeting of the subjects to the
measurements of the same variables at the final program session. These two sets of data will be analyzed to
determine if there was a difference between the first measurement and the second measurement for each
individual in the program. Then, the data will be analyzed to determine if the differences are statistically
significant. If the differences are statistically significant, the study validates the theory that was the focus
of the study. The results of the study also provide valuable information about one strategy to combat
childhood obesity in the community.
As you have probably concluded, conducting studies using the eight steps of the scientific research process
requires you to dedicate time and effort to the planning process. You cannot conduct a study using the
scientific research process when time is limited or the study is done at the last minute. Researchers who do
this conduct studies that result in either false conclusions or conclusions that are not of any value to the
organization.

https://www.uh.edu/honors/undergraduate-research/research-steps-resources/

Steps in the Research Process

1. Define the Problem

Identifying a compelling research question is the first step to a successful research project. What
issue, problem, or topic are you interested in exploring?

2. Review the Literature

The purpose of conducting research is to "fill in the gaps" of our knowledge about a particular
field or subject, to identify a new problem, or to "test" a new solution or recommendation for an
existing issue or phenomenon.

To frame your research project, and to ensure that your research question has not already been
examined, you must conduct a literature review.

3. Formulate a Hypothesis or a Problem Statement

Depending on your research question and methodology, you will be required to formulate a
research hypothesis OR a problem statement based on your research question.

A research hypothesis is an educated prediction that provides an explanation for an observable

(measurable) event or condition. Learn more about how to develop a research hypothesis.

A problem statement is both a reiteration of the problem that the study will address and the
justification for studying the problem.

4. Select a Research Design

Deciding what you will research will help to determine how you will design your research
project.

Will it be qualitative or quantitative? What methodology and design will you choose? What
methods - techniques and tools - will you use to collect, analyze, and interpret your data?

5. Carry Out the Research

Now you can finally conduct your research!

For many, this is the most enjoyable part of the process; but, it's also the step that requires the
greatest attention to detail to ensure that your research design and methods are followed
accurately - to generate good data - and that the research is conducted ethically.

6. Interpret Your Results

Once your experiment has concluded and/or data have been collected, it is time to analyze the
data using methods determined by your research methodology and design. Next, you must
interpret the results.

It is important that your interpretetation is supported by the evidence. Avoid spurious

conclusions of causality or correlation!

7. Report the Research Findings

The purpose of research is to share knowledge.

Once your research has concluded, it is important to share your results. You might write an
article for publication, prepare a white paper, or present your research at a conference either as
part of a panel discussion or a poster presentation.

8. Repeat

Research is an iterative process.

New knowledge leads to more questions, further research, and the generation of more new
knowledge.

So, return to Step 1 and enjoy a new research experience!

The Seven Steps of the Research Process

The Seven Steps of the Research Process

The following seven steps outline a simple and effective strategy for finding information for a
research paper and documenting the sources you find. Depending on your topic and your
familiarity with the library, you may need to rearrange or recycle these steps. Adapt this outline
to your needs. We are ready to help you at every step in your research.

STEP 1: IDENTIFY AND DEVELOP YOUR TOPIC

SUMMARY: State your topic as a question. For example, if you are interested in finding out
about use of alcoholic beverages by college students, you might pose the question, "What effect
does use of alcoholic beverages have on the health of college students?" Identify the main
concepts or keywords in your question.

More details on how to identify and develop your topic.

STEP 2: FIND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

SUMMARY: Look up your keywords in the indexes to subject encyclopedias. Read articles in

these encyclopedias to set the context for your research. Note any relevant items in the
bibliographies at the end of the encyclopedia articles. Additional background information may be
found in your lecture notes, textbooks, and reserve readings.

More suggestions on how to find background information.

Return to the top

STEP 3: USE CATALOGS TO FIND BOOKS AND MEDIA

SUMMARY: Use guided keyword searching to find materials by topic or subject. Print or write
down the citation (author, title,etc.) and the location information (call number and library). Note
the circulation status. When you pull the book from the shelf, scan the bibliography for
additional sources. Watch for book-length bibliographies and annual reviews on your subject;
they list citations to hundreds of books and articles in one subject area. Check the standard
subject subheading "--BIBLIOGRAPHIES," or titles beginning with Annual Review of... in
the Cornell Library Classic Catalog.

More detailed instructions for using catalogs to find books.

Finding media (audio and video) titles.

Watch on YouTube: How to read citations

 
STEP 4: USE INDEXES TO FIND PERIODICAL ARTICLES

SUMMARY: Use periodical indexes and abstracts to find citations to articles. The indexes and
abstracts may be in print or computer-based formats or both. Choose the indexes and format best
suited to your particular topic; ask at the reference desk if you need help figuring out which
index and format will be best. You can find periodical articles by the article author, title, or
keyword by using the periodical indexes in the Library home page. If the full text is not linked in
the index you are using, write down the citation from the index and search for the title of the
periodical in the Cornell Library Classic Catalog. The catalog lists the print, microform, and
electronic versions of periodicals at Cornell.

How to find and use periodical indexes at Cornell.

Watch on YouTube: How to read citations

Return to the top

STEP 5: FIND ADDITIONAL INTERNET RESOURCES

 Nearly everyone is aware of and uses Google and its branches, Google Scholar, Google

Books, Google News, YouTube, etc., to search and find information on the open Internet (as
opposed to the subscription-only resources you will encounter in steps 2 through 4 above). Here
are links to other search engines.

You can also check to see if there is a research guide (a subject guide or a course guide) created
by librarians specifically for your topic or your class that links to recommended resources.

STEP 6: EVALUATE WHAT YOU FIND

SUMMARY: See How to Critically Analyze Information Sources and Distinguishing Scholarly

from Non-Scholarly Periodicals: A Checklist of Criteria for suggestions on evaluating the
authority and quality of the books and articles you located.
Watch on YouTube: Identifying scholarly journals    Identifying substantive news sources
 If you have found too many or too few sources, you may need to narrow or broaden your topic.
Check with a reference librarian or your instructor.

When you're ready to write, here is an annotated list of books to help you organize, format, and
write your paper.

STEP 7: CITE WHAT YOU FIND USING A STANDARD FORMAT

Give credit where credit is due; cite your sources.

Citing or documenting the sources used in your research serves two purposes, it gives proper
credit to the authors of the materials used, and it allows those who are reading your work to
duplicate your research and locate the sources that you have listed as references.

Knowingly representing the work of others as your own is plagarism. (See Cornell's Code of
Academic Integrity). Use one of the styles listed below or another style approved by your
instructor. Handouts summarizing the APA and MLA styles are available at Uris and Olin
Reference.

https://www.nhcc.edu/student-resources/library/doinglibraryresearch/basic-steps-in-the-research-
process

The following steps outline a simple and effective strategy for writing a research paper.
Depending on your familiarity with the topic and the challenges you encounter along the way,
you may need to rearrange these steps.

Step 1: Identify and develop your topic

Selecting a topic can be the most challenging part of a research assignment. Since this is the very
first step in writing a paper, it is vital that it be done correctly. Here are some tips for selecting a
topic:

1. Select a topic within the parameters set by the assignment. Many times your instructor
will give you clear guidelines as to what you can and cannot write about. Failure to work within
 these guidelines may result in your proposed paper being deemed unacceptable by your
instructor.
2. Select a topic of personal interest to you and learn more about it. The research for and
writing of a paper will be more enjoyable if you are writing about something that you find
interesting.
3. Select a topic for which you can find a manageable amount of information. Do a
preliminary search of information sources to determine whether existing sources will meet your
needs. If you find too much information, you may need to narrow your topic; if you find too
little, you may need to broaden your topic.
4. Be original. Your instructor reads hundreds of research papers every year, and many of
them are on the same topics (topics in the news at the time, controversial issues, subjects for
which there is ample and easily accessed information). Stand out from your classmates by
selecting an interesting and off-the-beaten-path topic.
5. Still can't come up with a topic to write about? See your instructor for advice.

Once you have identified your topic, it may help to state it as a question. For example, if you are
interested in finding out about the epidemic of obesity in the American population, you might
pose the question "What are the causes of obesity in America ?" By posing your subject as a
question you can more easily identify the main concepts or keywords to be used in your research.

Step 2 : Do a preliminary search for information

Before beginning your research in earnest, do a preliminary search to determine whether there is
enough information out there for your needs and to set the context of your research. Look up
your keywords in the appropriate titles in the library's Reference collection (such as
encyclopedias and dictionaries) and in other sources such as our catalog of books, periodical
databases, and Internet search engines. Additional background information may be found in your
lecture notes, textbooks, and reserve readings. You may find it necessary to adjust the focus of
your topic in light of the resources available to you.

Step 3: Locate materials

With the direction of your research now clear to you, you can begin locating material on your
topic. There are a number of places you can look for information:

If you are looking for books, do a subject search in the Alephcatalog. A Keyword search can be
performed if the subject search doesn't yield enough information. Print or write down the citation
information (author, title,etc.) and the location (call number and collection) of the item(s). Note
the circulation status. When you locate the book on the shelf, look at the books located nearby;
similar items are always shelved in the same area. The Aleph catalog also indexes the library's
audio-visual holdings.

Use the library's electronic periodical databases to find magazine and newspaper articles.
Choose the databases and formats best suited to your particular topic; ask at the librarian at the
Reference Desk if you need help figuring out which database best meets your needs. Many of the
articles in the databases are available in full-text format.
 Use search engines (Google, Yahoo, etc.) and subject directories (such as the Librarian's Guide
to the Internet) to locate materials on the Internet. Check the Internet Resources section of the
NHCC Library web site for helpful subject links.

Step 4: Evaluate your sources

See the CARS Checklist for Information Quality for tips on evaluating the authority and quality
of the information you have located. Your instructor expects that you will provide credible,
truthful, and reliable information and you have every right to expect that the sources you use are
providing the same. This step is especially important when using Internet resources, many of
which are regarded as less than reliable.

Step 5: Make notes

Consult the resources you have chosen and note the information that will be useful in your paper.
Be sure to document all the sources you consult, even if you there is a chance you may not use
that particular source. The author, title, publisher, URL, and other information will be needed
later when creating a bibliography.

Step 6: Write your paper

Begin by organizing the information you have collected. The next step is the rough draft,
wherein you get your ideas on paper in an unfinished fashion. This step will help you organize
your ideas and determine the form your final paper will take. After this, you will revise the draft
as many times as you think necessary to create a final product to turn in to your instructor.

Step 7: Cite your sources properly

Give credit where credit is due; cite your sources.

Citing or documenting the sources used in your research serves two purposes: it gives proper
credit to the authors of the materials used, and it allows those who are reading your work to
duplicate your research and locate the sources that you have listed as references. The MLA and
the APA Styles are two popular citation formats.

Failure to cite your sources properly is plagiarism. Plagiarism is avoidable!

Step 8: Proofread
The final step in the process is to proofread the paper you have created. Read through the text
and check for any errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Make sure the sources you used
are cited properly. Make sure the message that you want to get across to the reader has been
thoroughly stated.

Additional research tips:

 Work from the general to the specific -- find background information first, then use more
specific sources.
 Don't forget print sources -- many times print materials are more easily accessed and
every bit as helpful as online resources.
 The library has books on the topic of writing research papers at call number area LB
2369.
 If you have questions about the assignment, ask your instructor.
 If you have any questions about finding information in the library, ask the librarian.

https://library.trocaire.edu/services/studentservices/researchassistance/10steps/

Before you get started:

 Choose a topic that is interesting to you and relevant to your coursework.

 Give yourself as much time as possible to get the work done.
o This research calculator can help you plan your time.
 Save your work often so you don’t lose anything.
 Use organization tools (research logs or graphic organizers) to keep track of your work.
o Many of our databases also have the option of creating an account to save articles
and searches.

Step 1 – Formulate Your Question 

 Your research may start as a general idea or a specific question, statement or thesis.
 Know what you want to focus on before you begin.

Step 2 – Get Background Information

 Read about your topic using websites or encyclopedias.

 It introduces you to the topic, helps you to focus on its key elements and can help you
decide to broaden or narrow your focus.
 These sources often include bibliographies that you can “piggyback” to find more sources
on your topic.

Step 3 – Focus and Refine Your Topic

 Think about how you want to explore the topic.

 Ask yourself:
o Is my research intended for a general group or class or is it more specialized? 
o Can or should I limit my topic by time period or place?

Step 4 – Research Tools

 You need the right tool for the job. Using our research guides can help you find these
answers.
 Ask yourself:
 o What types of materials do I need? 
o How recent should my materials be? 
o How long do I have to do my research? 
o What subjects are covered by my topic?  

Step 5 – Select Your Tool and Begin

 Use the library’s resources to find journal articles, eBooks and videos.

 Use our library catalog to find books or DVDs.
 If you are using websites, make sure they are quality resources – not just the first result!

Step 6 – Get Stuck, Get Help!

 Never fear, we are here to help you with your research questions!
 Stop by, call: 827-2434 or email: libraryhelp@trocaire.edu.

Step 7 – Gather Your Materials

 Are your best resources books, journals or websites?

 Does the Library have the book or article or will you have to borrow it
from ILL or AcademicSHARE?
o Remember that you have a deadline and that getting all of your materials may
take some time.

Step 8 – Evaluate Your Resources

 You may be overwhelmed by the amount of information you find.

 To find “good” resources for your paper, you must analyze and carefully select them.
o Journal articles have gone through peer-review before being published.
o Books are also edited before publication.
o Use the CRAAP test for website evaluation.

Step 9 – Stay organized 

 Give yourself enough time to conduct your research, so you can understand your topic
enough to write effectively on it.
 Keep track of your research so you don’t have to scramble to find it later.
o Use our research log or graphic organizer to help you stay on track.

Step 10 – Write and Review Your Paper

 Make sure your paper is formatted correctly – APA, MLA or another style an instructor
requires.
 Check to make sure all of your sources have been cited and your research is properly
listed at the end of your paper.