When you're ready to create your research plan, the first step is to review your research question and list the information you will need to answer the question. Make a long list of ideas that relate to your topic and are likely to help you locate the evidence you need. Suppose Marisa has chosen this as her research question:
What important roles have women played in the U.S. military?
Now read the list of information Marisa believes she will need to answer her question.
| How did women participate in the American Revolution, the Civil War, WWI, WWII, and other, more recent conflicts? |
| Who are some famous women who played a part in these wars? |
| What specific jobs did women in the military have during these conflicts? |
| What are some laws that affected women in the military? |
| How many women serve in the military today? |
| Are women allowed in combat today? |
| Who are some of the highest-ranking female officers in the different branches of the military? |
| What are attitudes about women in the military, and have those attitudes changed over time? |
Question
Will your research plan stay the same throughout the research process?
No. You may discover new information that will answer your research question along the way, or you may realize some items in your original plan are unnecessary. You may adapt your research plan, but always keep your research question in mind.
