BAM101/BAM107 Business Research Tutorial

Researching and writing can take time! To help with time management, break your assignment into manageable chunks, and set a target completion date for each.

An example workflow is displayed below. Depending on your assignment, you may need to modify this workflow to suit the specific assignment you're working on. For more assignment planning ideas, check out the Assignment Planner.

• Step 1 - Understand your assignment

  • Review the assignment materials. If you don't understand your assignment, ask your professor.

• Step 2 - Select and focus your topic

  • Brainstorm ideas to narrow your research topic.
  • If you're unfamiliar with the topic, first do some background research to learn more.

• Step 3 - Use Library resources to find articles

  • Use Library Search (the search box on the Seneca Libraries homepage) or search in a database to find articles.
  • To find databases, start at the Business subject guide.
  • Choose a database that has the type of material you're looking for, and search in the database for terms related to the research topic.
  • If needed, revise the search by trying different search terms, narrowing the topic, etc. Review tips on brainstorming search terms.
  • Having trouble with research? Schedule a research appointment to meet with a library staff member.

• Step 4 - Write first draft

  • Follow the assignment guidelines to write the first draft.
  • Integrate research sources into your paper. Add citations in as you're writing, to keep track of which sources quotations and ideas came from.
  • Unsure about how to cite your sources? Attend one of the Library's citation workshops to learn more.
  • Need help with writing? Book an English tutor for help with your writing including essay writing, sentence structure or grammar.

• Step 5 - Revise and rewrite

  • Review the Learning Centre's writing tip sheets for grammar, punctuation, and writing tips.

• Step 6 - Put paper in final form

  • Proofread your paper.
  • Be sure you are citing your sources accurately. Double-check using the MLA guide.
  • If your professor has provided formatting or submission guidelines, ensure these are followed.

• Done! Congratulations on completing your Assignment

Follow a similar plan when getting started with other assignments. Take a look at what the assignment requires, and then plan out your steps and target completion dates for each. 

The Assignment Planner is a tool that can help you plan your assignment, breaking it into manageable pieces with target dates. Use this as a starting point for planning assignment timelines.