Meet the Expert
Shruti Sharma
Research Methodology Specialist & PhD Writing Coach
- Trained 300+ PhD scholars across engineering, science, and social science disciplines
- Specialist in mixed-methods research design and systematic literature reviews
- Expert in Indian university PhD regulations (VTU, Anna University, Osmania, Amity)
The 8 key steps in the research process are: (1) select and define a research topic; (2) conduct a preliminary literature search; (3) collect and organise research materials; (4) critically evaluate sources for credibility; (5) take systematic notes and manage references; (6) formulate and write the research paper; (7) cite all sources using the required style; and (8) proofread, revise, and submit.
Academic research is not a linear process — but it has a logical order. Skipping steps or reversing their sequence is the single most common reason PhD scholars produce weak theses, fail viva examinations, or receive major revisions from journal reviewers.
8-Step Research Process Overview (2026)
- Select & Define a Topic — Choose a focused, researchable problem with a clear gap in existing literature
- Preliminary Literature Search — Check that sufficient, credible information exists to support your study
- Collect Research Materials — Gather peer-reviewed journals, books, datasets, and primary sources
- Evaluate Source Credibility — Apply CRAAP or SIFT criteria to assess authority, accuracy, and currency
- Take Systematic Notes — Document key information with full citation details — use Zotero or Mendeley
- Write the Paper or Thesis — Organise evidence and argument; draft systematically using inverted pyramid structure
- Cite All Sources — Apply APA 7, MLA 9, IEEE, Vancouver, or required style consistently throughout
- Proofread, Revise & Submit — Run structured proofreading passes; check similarity; submit through the correct portal
For a deep dive into your specific research methodology and topic selection, Chat with our PhD Consultants
Step 1: Select and Define Your Research Topic
Selecting a research topic requires identifying a specific, researchable gap in existing knowledge — not just a broad subject area. A good research topic is: narrow enough to be investigated within your timeframe and resources; significant enough that its answer would contribute new knowledge to your field; and feasible given your access to data, participants, or materials.
| Topic Selection Criterion | Weak Example | Strong Example |
|---|---|---|
| Specificity | The effect of climate change on agriculture | The impact of erratic monsoon patterns on rice yield in Andhra Pradesh smallholder farms, 2015–2025 |
| Research gap | I want to study mental health in students | No study has examined smartphone-mediated social comparison and depression in Indian engineering college students post-COVID |
| Feasibility | A global study of income inequality | A survey of 200 urban households in Hyderabad on income inequality perception, 2025 |
Step 2: Conduct a Preliminary Literature Search
A preliminary literature search verifies that your research topic has sufficient existing scholarship to contextualise your study — and confirms that your specific research gap has not already been filled by a recent publication. Use Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, IEEE Xplore, or Web of Science.
2026 Tool: Use Elicit and Semantic Scholar for AI-Powered Literature Discovery
Elicit.org uses AI to summarise key papers in your field and identify research consensus vs. controversy. Semantic Scholar's Recommendation engine suggests related papers you may have missed. Connected Papers creates visual citation maps.
Step 3: Collect and Organise Your Research Materials
| Source Type | Credibility Level | Best Databases | Use For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peer-reviewed journal articles | Highest | Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed | Core literature review, theoretical framework |
| Conference proceedings (indexed) | High | IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, DBLP | Cutting-edge findings, methods papers |
| Books and textbook chapters | High | Google Books, SpringerLink, EBSCO | Foundational theory, methodology context |
| Government reports and policy documents | Medium-High | Official government portals, WHO, OECD | Statistical data, policy context |
| Preprints (unreviewed) | Low-Medium | arXiv, bioRxiv, SSRN | Recent findings only — must be verified |
| Blogs, Wikipedia, general websites | Low | Web search | Never cite directly — background context only |
Step 4: Critically Evaluate Your Sources
Source evaluation in academic research applies the CRAAP test: Currency (is the source up to date?), Relevance (does it directly address your research question?), Authority (is the author/publisher credible?), Accuracy (is the information evidence-based and verifiable?), and Purpose (is the source objective or does it have a bias?).
Step 5: Take Systematic Notes and Manage References
Reference Management Tools Comparison (2026)
Zotero (free, open-source): best for most PhD students — excellent browser integration, Google Docs plugin, automatic PDF import. Mendeley (free, Elsevier): strong for STEM fields. EndNote (paid, institutional): standard in medical and life science research. Paperpile (paid): best for Google Docs users. Import your references from day one — never reconstruct them at the end.
Step 6: Write Your Research Paper or Thesis Chapter
Writing a research paper begins with organising your collected evidence into an argument structure — not simply summarising sources in chronological order. Use the PEEL paragraph structure: Point (your claim), Evidence (your source), Explanation (how the evidence supports your point), and Link (transition to the next point).
Step 7: Cite All Sources Using the Required Style
| Citation Style | Field | In-Text Format | Reference List Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| APA 7th Edition | Psychology, Social Sciences, Education | (Author, Year, p. XX) | Alphabetical by author surname |
| MLA 9th Edition | Humanities, Literature, Languages | (Author Page#) | Alphabetical; 'Works Cited' heading |
| Vancouver / ICMJE | Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy | [1], [2], [3] | Numbered in order of appearance |
| IEEE | Engineering, Computer Science | [1], [2], [3] | Numbered in order of citation |
| Harvard | Business, Economics, Science (UK/AUS) | (Author Year) | Alphabetical; 'Reference List' heading |
Step 8: Proofread, Revise, and Submit
A structured final review includes: argument review (does the paper clearly answer the research question?); evidence review (is every claim supported by a cited source?); language review (grammar, active voice, clarity); citation review (are all references formatted correctly?); and compliance review (does the paper meet the journal's formatting, word limit, and ethical declaration requirements?).
Related Reading from Thesis Ace Writers
For a deep dive into your specific research methodology and how to structure your study, Chat with our PhD Consultants
Frequently Asked Questions
Click a question to expand the answer.
The 8 steps are: (1) Select and define your research topic; (2) Conduct a preliminary literature search; (3) Collect and organise research materials; (4) Evaluate source credibility; (5) Take systematic notes and manage references; (6) Write the paper or thesis; (7) Cite all sources in the required style; (8) Proofread, revise, and submit. Each step informs the next — skipping steps creates gaps in argument quality and evidence base.
Choose a research topic by identifying a specific gap in existing literature — a question that has not been fully answered by recent studies. Use AI tools like Elicit and Connected Papers to map what has been studied. Then apply three tests: Is the gap significant enough to matter? Can I access the data or participants needed to answer it? Can I complete this study within my available time and budget?
A literature search is the systematic process of finding existing publications on your topic. A literature review is the critical analysis and synthesis of those found publications into a coherent argument that contextualises your own study and identifies the gap it fills. The search happens in step 2; the review is written in step 6.
A full PhD research process — from topic selection to thesis submission — typically takes 3 to 5 years in India (as per UGC guidelines) and 3 to 4 years in UK, Australia, and USA. Individual steps vary significantly: literature collection and review typically takes 6–12 months; data collection 3–12 months depending on methodology; writing 6–18 months.
Citation style depends on your discipline and target journal. APA 7 is standard for psychology, education, and social sciences. IEEE is mandatory for engineering and computer science. Vancouver is required for medicine and clinical research. MLA is used in humanities. Always check your target journal's 'Author Guidelines' — citation style is non-negotiable.
Apply the CRAAP test: is the source Current (within 5–7 years)? Is it Relevant to your specific research question? Is the Author or publisher authoritative? Is the content Accurate (evidence-based, verifiable)? Is the Purpose objective or promotional? In 2026, also verify that AI-generated content has not been included in sources.