What is the first step of the research process?

Correct answer: Identification of a broad area of research. Research begins by identifying a broad area of interest, which is then narrowed to a specific problem.

• Collection of data: Data collection comes after the problem and design are defined.
• Analysis of results: Analysis of results comes after data are collected.
• None of these: “None of these” is incorrect because identifying a broad area is the first step.