The research process is one that should provide you with an understanding of the topic covered in your essay question and enough information to construct an answer to your question. At the beginning of this process:

you should know what the question means and
you should have an idea about what your essay must do.

You then have to ensure that you have efficient and effective reading strategies, sound note-taking skills, and an ability to weigh-up the evidence so that you can commit to a position on the essay. The first step in this process is to read broadly