Final answer:
Researching a speaker's topic occurs during the preparation stage of the listening process.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the preparation stage of the listening process, you would research a speaker's topic. This involves finding sources, evaluating their reliability, and reading them carefully. Taking notes comes after the research stage, during the active involvement stage, where you actively engage with the speaker's content. Lastly, evaluation occurs after the listening process, where you assess the quality and effectiveness of the speaker's presentation.