Students should begin their research after choosing a subject by reviewing both primary and secondary sources. Primary sources, such as medical journals, research papers, and patient case histories, are firsthand recollections of an event or experience. Secondary sources, such as textbooks, review articles, and internet summaries, are secondhand descriptions of an event or experience. Students must reference a number of primary and secondary sources in order to prepare a well-informed synthesis paper.

Students may find it beneficial to search the library catalog for relevant materials. Many libraries also provide research aid; librarians may assist students in locating acceptable sources and successfully using the library’s resources. Students should read and assess the material included in relevant sources when they have found them. Students should take notes on significant topics and concepts as they read; these notes will be utilized in the writing of their papers.