POLS 400: Research in Politics and Public Policy

Are you feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start?  Do you want to ensure that you have enough time to complete your paper or project?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, please consider using an assignment calculator tool, like the one linked below.  Assignment calculators provide steps and deadlines to keep you on track.

Use the research spreadsheet linked below to keep track of your research progress.  Please remember that you can contact the social sciences librarian for assistance on any stage of the research process.

Research can be fun and exciting as you expand your knowledge and learn new things, but it can also be frustrating and messy. The Research Process is a way to manage your research so that it does not overwhelm you. Important points to remember are:

• The research process is iterative, not linear! For example, as you progress in your research, your topic may change or narrow in scope.
• Writing is a part of the process and is usually the deliverable, but it is also an important tool to use when brainstorming a topic and when synthesizing the resources you have found.