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Online Guide to Writing and Research

The Research Process

The Research Assignment

When is Research Needed?

Research is needed when you want to find out something new about something that interests you.  It is needed in every aspect of your life: personal, professional, and academic.

Remember when we talked about learning how to knit and how to start the learning process by checking out library books, watching instructional videos, and/or asking people questions? These are all instances of information gathering and when research is needed to complete steps toward learning a new skill for your personal life.

In an academic setting, research is needed when you are given an assignment that requires you to perform knowledge gathering and then convey that knowledge in a written format. Sometimes research is also needed when you don’t understand your assignment instructions and you have to reread those instructions several times or ask your professor for clarification.  


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Table of Contents: Online Guide to Writing