Step 1. Select a narrow, defined research topic and identify a specific research question based on that topic that you think you would like to thoroughly explore this semester through your remaining projects. You may continue to work with the topic that was the focus of your articles for the exploratory essay or to select a new topic.

Step 2. Locate 8-10 academic and/or professional journal articles about the topic. In general these articles should be recent, published within the last 5, preferably no more than the last 10, years. 

Step 3. Skim the articles you found using the strategies we have reviewed to determine their relevance to the topic and potential usefulness for your future research. If necessary, continue searching and replace sources you originally found to complete your list.

Step 4. After skimming and selecting your articles, carefully read each of them, taking critical notes as you read. When writing your notes focus on the thesis/argument, research methods used to collect and analyze the data, major findings/points, and gaps/flaws/limitations. These notes will help you to draft the essay, and you should refer to the handout Writing an Annotated Bibliography for more detailed information regarding what content to include and how to organize it.