Select a focus for your research. Depending on the assignment, your topic will likely not be a narrow enough focus. Rather, you must approach the topic from a particular angle or present a specific argument about it. Look for research that supports and challenges your thesis.
Look for research sources in your college library catalog. Most college library websites contain a catalog search feature that can be used from anywhere. Look for scholarly books and paper journals on your topic located in the library.
Search through your college library's electronic database for academic articles from journals and periodicals. Most college libraries have subscriptions to all major electronic journals as part of your tuition fees. Access the electronic database through your college library's website. The journals are organized according to field of study to make searching easier. Check if your local public library has access to electronic journals as well.
Enter the search terms for your topic into a free academic search engine, such as Google Scholar, which retrieves only scholarly articles and e-books.
Check if the sources you find list other relevant sources that either the writer himself used, or the writer, editor or publisher recommends for further reading. In an article, these will be listed at the end, and in a book or novel these will be listed in either the first or the last few pages. Many classic novels include bibliographies for further study.
Ensure that all research is current. Your professor should inform you how old is too old; some professors will not accept anything published prior to 1990, especially if many subsequent publications have been written on the subject or in response to the old article.
Read all of your research and evaluate it. Identify the writer's argument or purpose and decide how your thesis relates to it. Consider how much research the writer herself has conducted, her theoretical framework and if there are any strengths or limitations to her work.
Cite all research according to the format your professor requires.