2. Library research can reveal if the answer to your question is available, but not known to you.
3. If the answer is neither known nor available, then research must be conducted to uncover the answer.
4. Research can be a deductive or an inductive process.
5. The steps of the deductive process are identifying the research problem, reviewing existing theory, formulating a research question or hypothesis, designing the methods and procedures, gathering data, and analyzing and interpreting data.
6. The steps of the inductive research process are identifying the research problem, considering existing research findings, developing the research question, designing the methods and procedures, gathering data, analyzing and interpreting data, and developing a theoretical explanation.
7. Both the deductive and inductive research processes are circular and cyclical as the final step, asking new questions, starts the research process once again.
8. The first step in both the deductive and inductive research processes-identifying the research problem-consists of identifying the topic or issue, turning the topic into a preliminary question or set of questions, conducting a library search, and adjusting the question, if necessary.
9. Evaluate your preliminary questions for their underlying assumptions, completeness, and clarity prior to conducting the library search.
10. Use either the basic or detailed search strategy to find scholarly articles published in academic journals or scholarly books.
11. When you find an article or book that may be helpful, take notes and document all of the citation information.
12. Your preliminary question may require adjustment as you discover new information.
13. The abstract states the primary ideas presented in an article or chapter.
14. The literature review usually concludes with the researchers' research questions and hypotheses.
15. The discussion section includes the answers to the questions the authors raised.
16. Using what you found in the library search, organize your material by major and minor points, in chronological order, by answering a series of questions, or from the general to the specific or from specific to general.
17. Theory is developed and tested through research.
