Research is expected to discover or create something new. Even if the question has been identified and articulated by others, the answer provided should be either more complete, more convincing, or more useful than any offered previously. So the first stage of the research process is to have an idea.

Idea stage--this can include reading for inspiration and to learn what topics are trending in the field; talking to people, especially other researchers and teachers.  Ask: What do you wish you had time to research? What do you wish someone else would research? Think about anything you have read, seen, or heard that left you or your classmates with unanswered questions--questions you could not find answers to in the literature of the field.

Be practical; an idea is necessary, but you also have to have strategy to pursue it. Ask yourself: Is the question easily and fully researchable? What type of information do I need to answer the research question? Is the scope of this information reasonable (e.g., can I really research 30 online writing programs developed over a span of 10 years?). Given the type and scope of the information that I need, is my question too broad, too narrow, or okay?  Part of this process is the elaboration and framing of your question--taking your interest and making it researchable.

Elaboration and framing stage: Developing and elaborating a topic based on what you find interesting and have learned is worth pursuing; understanding and articulating intellectual context.

Once you are satisfied that your project is not only right for you, but right for your circumstances, you are ready to begin preparing yourself for substantive research.

Preparation Stage: this includes reading what has already been done in the field related to your topic; studying original sources, annotating texts and making notes (especially in the humanities); summarizing most important ideas and questions raised; identifying key authorities, experiments, case studies,theories, rebuttals, etc.

Once you know the intellectual scope and context of your question, you can formulate a plan. What sources will have the type of information that you need to answer the research question (journals, books, Internet resources, government documents, people)? Do you have access to those resources? The environmental myths of a remote Buddhist sect in Siberia might be interesting, but the resources for researching them are probably not available to you. Your plan need not be formal and will probably develop over time.

Developing evidence stage: gathering primary and secondary sources in all relevant formats; data analyses; creating a working bibliography; organizing and evaluating resources.

Each of these documents offers useful concepts and strategies for reading scholarly journal articles. 

Different disciplines observe different standards. For example, the "literature review" often consists of a paragraph or two in which the authors name previous scholars who have asked related questions (and then declare their inadequacies).  But they always explain the focus of their question, justifying it as worthy of their attention, are explicit about the stages of their analysis, providing evidence for each claim, and document  their sources.