You’re committed to sustainability, but how can you use research skills to make a real difference?

1 Identify your purpose

Before you dive into any research project, you need to define your purpose. What are you trying to achieve? What problem are you trying to solve? What question are you trying to answer? Your purpose will guide your research process and help you narrow down your scope. For example, if you want to reduce your carbon footprint, you might focus on specific aspects of your lifestyle, such as transportation, energy, or food.

2 Find credible sources

Once you have a clear purpose, you need to find credible sources of information that can help you achieve it. Credible sources are those that are reliable, accurate, and unbiased. They are usually written by experts, backed by evidence, and reviewed by peers. You can use various tools and platforms to find credible sources, such as search engines, databases, journals, books, or reports. For example, if you want to learn more about renewable energy, you might look for sources from reputable organizations, such as the International Renewable Energy Agency or the World Bank.

3 Evaluate the information

After you find some sources, you need to evaluate the information they provide. You need to check if the information is relevant, current, consistent, and supported. You also need to consider the perspective, motive, and agenda of the author or publisher. You can use various criteria and questions to evaluate the information, such as the CRAAP test or the SIFT method. For example, if you want to compare different types of renewable energy, you might check the date, source, data, and argument of each source.

4 Apply the information

Finally, you need to apply the information you have gathered and evaluated to your purpose. You need to synthesize, analyze, and interpret the information and draw your own conclusions. You also need to communicate and share your findings and recommendations with others. You can use various formats and channels to apply the information, such as reports, presentations, blogs, podcasts, or social media. For example, if you want to advocate for renewable energy, you might create a report with graphs, charts, and facts to persuade your audience.

5 Improve your skills

Research skills are not only useful for sustainability, but also for many other aspects of your personal and professional life. They can help you make informed decisions, solve problems, learn new things, and contribute to your field. To improve your research skills, you need to practice them regularly, seek feedback, and update your knowledge. You can also use various resources and courses to enhance your research skills, such as online tutorials, webinars, books, or mentors.