By Brittanie Dawson/reporter

Research has been made easy, a NE Campus coordinator told students Oct. 27.

Anne Drake, NE learning center coordinator for 20 years, presented Research Made Easy in which she described the five-step process to simplify research.

“Listen [to your instructor] and ask questions,” she said. “Know the assignment.”

Drake encouraged students to look at the syllabus and discuss any confusion with the instructor.

Step one is choosing a topic for the research paper.

“Brainstorm with family and friends,” she said.

Drake recommended the student choose more than one topic using a timed list, librarian assistance and some online choices.  She said a timed list is one where students give themselves a certain amount of time to get ideas based on the topics they are considering.

Step two was focusing a topic. Drake said students should choose a timeframe, category of people or place and even choose another topic of interest in addition.

Drake’s third step, where to begin, instructed students to gather background information from encyclopedias and even Wikipedia.

“Ask three questions that your paper will answer,” she said.

Drake recommended students use a statement they could use for research.

“Locate your information,” she said.

This fourth step requires the student to know what kind of sources the assignment allows them to use or calls for them to use.

Students should investigate different kinds of sources like the library database and newspapers, Drake said.

The last step is to read the information found.

“If you can talk comfortably with family and friends about the topic, then you know the information about the topic,” she said.

Drake said with these steps, students will know how to organize their research process and utilize the many resources available to work smart and not so hard.