Hey, I'm not sure what my car is doing. It's a 2000 civic ex, 5spd.

When I'm giving it a pretty good amount of gas, it will occasionally start to sputter as though I was violently releasing all the way off the gas pedal and stomping on it repeatedly. Sometimes it's minor, sometimes it's a pretty big deal. I was in 5th gear around 3000rpm, gave it gas, and my car started doing it again. I physically removed my foot and stomped again and couldn't make that drastic of a spasm in power like it did my itself. It's like I'm in 1st gear at redline and keep taking my foot off and on. Does anyone have any ideas? I just bought the car so I know nothing about what maintenance has been done... but anyone know where I should start?

thanks