Step 1: Find a Research Idea: Select a Topic and Search the
Literature to Find an Unanswered Question
The fi rst step in the research process is to fi nd a research idea. This task, discussed
in detail in Chapter 2, typically involves two parts:
1. Selecting a general topic area (such as human development, perception,
social interaction, and so on).
2. Reviewing the literature in that area to identify the relevant variables
and find an unanswered question.