Phase Two: Investigating The Topic
The second phase of the research requires investigation. Up to this point you have brainstormed your ideas and limited your topic to a manageable issue. Each topic has underlying causes and conditions, issues that should be understood on more than one level, so you investigations should be more than just one source.
Some possible sources of information:
 | interview people -- either those in charge, those affected, those who work at a place that is impacted by your topic, and/or an "expert" in the topic | |
| go to a site where people who are affected reside (work, etc.) write observation and descriptions of those involve | |
| find articles in periodicals in the library | |
| find articles on the Internet - http://ol.scc.spokane.edu/jstrever/research/ should help with that search | |
| use the current media, i.e., television, radio, local newspapers | |
| talk to your friends | |
| use handouts, brochures, or pamphlets |
Since these are quite complex tasks, you will want to give yourself a schedule. For example, you might decide to research at the library on Monday, on the Internet on Tuesday, interview someone and observe the site on Wednesday, then listen to a radio program about the topic on Friday. Saturday you could peruse the information, then write a first draft.
Moreover, plan accordingly. Be sure to have the proper materials for each type of research. For example, if you are going to research on the Internet, don't find the first two articles you come across. Instead, locate six or seven different ones. Skim them, then either send them to yourself through email, print them or copy them to your disk. Later, you can give them an in-depth reading and use the ones that are appropriate to your thesis. When you go to interview someone, make sure to have paper, pencils and tape recorder (if you use one) ready at the time of the interview.
You are doing a disservice to yourself and your audience if you wait until the last moment to do your investigations.
Phase One Phase Two Phase Three