The 7 Pillars of Research: Simple Steps to Strong Academic Skills

Good research starts with knowing how to ask questions, find facts, and share what you learn. The seven pillars of research, based on the SCONUL model of information literacy, give you a step-by-step path to do that. These pillars help students, teachers, and professionals build strong research habits that lead to reliable results.

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1. Identify: Know What You Need to Learn

Every project begins with a question. This first pillar helps you spot what you don’t yet understand. Write your topic as a clear, short question.

Example: Instead of “What is pollution?” ask “How does air pollution affect students’ health?”

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2. Scope: Explore What Information Exists

Next, find out what kinds of information are out there. Books, journals, and websites each serve a purpose. Knowing where to search saves time.

Example: Use Google Scholar for general research or PubMed for science and health topics.

3. Plan: Make a Simple Research Strategy

A plan keeps you focused. Decide what databases to use, how much time to spend, and what keywords to try. This makes big projects less stressful and helps you stay on track.

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4. Gather: Collect the Right Information

Now start collecting data. Use search tools well and save only what fits your goal.

Example: Use AND, OR, or NOT (Boolean Operators) to narrow or expand search results. Save your best articles in one folder.

5. Evaluate: Check for Quality and Bias

Not everything you read is true or useful. Always check the source’s author, date, and accuracy.
Peer-reviewed journals are more trustworthy than random blogs. Ask, “Is this fact supported by evidence?”

<ProTip title="🧠 Insight:" description="When reading, ask: Is it current? Is it credible? Does it match my question?" />

6. Manage: Stay Organized and Ethical

Keep your notes and sources in one place. Use tools like Zotero or Mendeley for easy citation. Avoid copying text. Always credit authors and keep your data safe.

7. Present: Share What You Found Clearly

The last pillar is communication. Present your results in a clear, simple format. Use proper citations and explain your findings in plain language.
Example: Summarize your main points in charts or bullet lists for clarity.

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Summary Table: The Seven Pillars

Master the Seven Pillars of Research for Lasting Academic Success

The seven pillars of research give you a simple, structured way to grow as a researcher. Each pillar: Identify, Scope, Plan, Gather, Evaluate, Manage, and Present. It builds your ability to think clearly, find reliable information, and communicate ideas with confidence.

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By applying these research pillars in every project, you strengthen your information literacy, sharpen your critical thinking, and uphold research ethics that make your work stand out. Start using these steps now to produce work that is accurate, honest, and impactful.