1.  Identify your issue or problem.

What is the issue or problem?

Who are the stakeholders and what are their positions?

What is your position on this issue?

2.  Read about your issue and identify points of view or arguments through information sources.

What are my print sources?

What are my media sources?

What are my people sources?

What are my preliminary findings based on a review of existing sources?

3.  Form a set of questions that can be answered by a specific set of data.  Examples: 

What would be the results of ______ ?

Who would benefit and by how much?

Who would be harmed and by how much?

My research questions:

4.  Gather evidence through research techniques such as surveys, interviews, or analysis of primary and secondary source documents.

What survey questions should I ask?

What interview questions should I ask?

What generalizations do secondary sources give?

What data and evidence can I find in primary sources to support different sides of the issue?

5.  Manipulate and transform data so that it can be interpreted.

How can I summarize what I found out?

Should I develop charts, diagrams, or graphs to represent my data?

6.  Draw conclusions and make inferences.

What do the data mean?  How can I interpret what I found out?

How do the data support my original point of view?

How do they support other points of view?

What conclusions can I make about the issue?

7.  Determine implications and consequences.

What are the consequences of following the point of view that I support?

Do I know enough or are there now new questions to be answered?

8. Communicate your findings. (Prepare an oral presentation for classmates based on note cards and written report.)

What are my purpose, issue, and point of view, and how will I explain them?

What data will I use to support my point of view?

How will I conclude my presentation?