Which is a step in the research process?

• A. Choose & refine your topic
• B. Memorize content
• C. Delete your data
• D. Ignore sources

Answer: (A)

Choosing and refining your topic starts the research process. It means selecting something you want to explore and narrowing it to a manageable scope. This step sets a clear focus and helps you form a research question or thesis, which then guides which sources to search, what kind of evidence to gather, and how to structure your work. For example, moving from a broad area like education to a specific question such as how online learning platforms affect student engagement in first-year college courses in public universities gives you a concrete path for your investigation.

Memorizing content isn’t how you plan or conduct a research project. You’ll use sources to build and support your argument, not rely on recall alone. Deleting your data would undermine the study and analysis you’re trying to perform. Ignoring sources contradicts the essential practice of using evidence and evaluating credibility to support your findings.