A writer should begin his research by first

-examining broad areas of interest

-writing a thesis statement

-outlining the paper

-asking friends what they want to know more about

The first thing a writer should begin with in his research is to examine broad areas of interest. Having had a general sense of an area in which he/she is interested, the writer can then go on to choose a topic for research in that area f interest, with a good understanding of why the research is to be done.