A research workflow refers to an ordered and consistent set of tasks, routines, and tools that will help you advance through the stages of the research process in an organized and efficient manner. The goal of an efficient research workflow is to breakdown the stages of the research process into a series of easily repeatable series of steps that will make the process more manageable.
While effective researchers tend to move through all of the above stages when conducting research, successful research workflows may vary widely depending on individual preference and need. For example, some people might like printing out articles, taking notes on note cards, and organizing those notes in physical space to outline their essays before writing. Others may prefer taking notes electronically, organizing them in a word processor, and outlining their essay in Microsoft Word. What works for one person, may not work for another. What matters is organization, routine, and, when possible, automation.
