Ward, Sarah. Image of research process map, September 2018.

Here is the outline for the Research Process module. Details for each element are posted below in the order we’d like them completed:

1. Research Process Steps & Helpers
2. Padlet discussion of steps & helpers (4 points)
3. Research Process Map (2 points)
4. Comment on each other’s maps (2 points)
5. Reflection post (2 points)

Part 1 – Research Process Steps and Helpers

Please review the Research Process table below. We have outlined some possible steps you might take during the process, as well as some people who you may ask for help at any stage of the process. This is intended to get you thinking about your own research process. For this activity, we ask you to reflect on your own experiences with a recent research project or paper. The steps and helpers in this table are in no particular order, and we may have left things off. There is a spot called “your choice” for each section where you may add steps or helpers or anything else that is a part of your process that isn’t already on the worksheet.

For each step, please think about:

• how you define it or what it means to you
• how long you might spend doing the given step
• if you might engage in the step more than once, and if so, how often?

For the people, please think about:

• what they do and how they might help you
• when you can/should ask them for help
• how many times you might ask them for help

Be prepared to discuss your own ideas for the next part of this module.

STEPS	HELPERS
Writing	Writing Tutor
Revising	Professor
Searching	Friend
Reading	Librarian
Research Question/Topic Development	Family Member
Your choice	Your Choice

We have also attached a worksheet for this step below in Microsoft Word format if you prefer to download it and take notes that way.

Part 2 – Discussion of Steps and Helpers (4 points)

For Part 2 we ask that you comment on the steps and helpers based on the work you did in Part 1. You must make at least 2 posts on each of the Padlets linked on the Padlet below: 2 for STEPS and 2 for HELPERS.

You must make a minimum of 4 comments to get credit for this portion, but feel free to make more! Be sure to include your name on your posts so you can get credit for them.

https://huntercollege68.padlet.org/sarahward/3nwpx83z33abfnjc

Part 3 – Research Process Maps (2 points)

Now, given the steps and helpers we’ve discussed in the previous activities, draw out a map of your own research process incorporating as many or few of the steps/helpers you use. It can take any form or shape, be on any size or shape or color of paper – just make it your own. Once you’ve drawn a map of your research process, take a picture of your map and share it here on this Padlet.

Click the + in the pink circle at the lower right to create a post. Be sure to label your post with your name so we know who shared what, and so you can get credit for it! You can also access the Padlet at this link.

Note to instructors: Padlet is a proprietary tool that we use through an institutional subscription. You can make a free account which allows you to make a limited number of Padlet boards at one time. You could also adapt this activity to be used with the message board or blog post system in your institution’s Learning Management System, or with another digital tool like Google’s Jamboard.

Part 4 – Comment on maps

Please make a comment on your at least one of your classmates’ Research Process maps posted on the Padlet above.

**Be sure to include your name on the comment if you are showing up as “anonymous” so you can get credit for your comments!**

Part 5 – Reflection on the Research Process

Please create a post, using your name in the title like this: “Sarah Ward – Research Process Reflection.” We need your name to give you credit for the work! Please also change the Category from “uncategorized” to “Research Process,” and add the Tags “research process” and “reflection” to your post.

Then post a brief (maximum 2 paragraphs) write up responding to the following prompt: In what ways did this module’s activities make you think about your own research process? Is there one new thing you might try moving forward? If so, what?

Here are instructions for creating a post on our site: https://help.commons.gc.cuny.edu/wp-content/blogs.dir/2935/files/2020/02/QG_-Creating-a-Post-4.pdf

Feel free to comment on each other’s posts, although it is not required.

Acknowledgements

This module was adapted from an in-person lesson plan we co-developed with colleagues Mason Brown and Stephanie Margolin.

Ward, S.K.L., Newman, J., Margolin, S., & Brown, M., “Navigating the mess: A collaborative approach to the research process,” presentation at Workshop for Instruction in Library Use (WILU), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, May 23, 2019.