The Research Process
Research Papers can be scary, but we're going to put that behind you... This
page will show you how to do research using the Library's online resources, the
typical paths to follow, and how to organize your thoughts. What is a Research
Paper compared with any other type of paper? Well a research paper needs more
critical thought. You need to be able to learn and become familiar with the
works of experts and to compare your opinion with theirs. These next few steps
will help you to prepare and write your next research paper, with only a small
amount of dread, as long as you don't start it the night before it's due!!
Topic
When you are choosing a topic, look for something you will be motivated to research or you are interested in,
something you would like to know more about, or something you know a little about already.
Research Question
Now you need a research question. This is similar to a Thesis Statement, which is explained in Write it Right! It's an unresolved topic that outlines the main focus of your paper.
EX: What does listening to music while studying do to your productivity level?
You need to answer the question using your thoughts as well as evidence to back yourself up--this is why you need to do research!
Conducting Research
Before you start your research, you need to understand what types of resources there are:
Primary Source-- This is an original work or story like a novel, poem, letter, or even interview.
Secondary Source--This is a piece of writing that interprets primary sources, like your paper,
a magazine article, or a commentary about a book, poem or play.
Now you need to read your references and evaluate them. You need to sift through all your sources and decide which
ones you wish to use. Which are most relevant to your topic and back up your argument the best?
Make sure you do effective note taking...Highlighting is the first step but you also need to
make notes as you move along in the process. Record any significant information that has to do with your topic.
Don't forget to always record your sources; you are going to need those for your Bibliography! It's O.K. to take
down the same fact twice, it will help to show that more than one person agrees with you.
Outline
This is where you combine your research with your research question and where you create an organizational plan for your paper.
Read Your Notes--Are there common trends or ideas? Group them together! Now number those groups or put them in an order in terms of where they will come in
your paper and flow nicely from one paragraph to the next.
First Draft
For this step you must have completed your outline and have a research question...Now it is just a
matter of putting together your notes, forming complete sentences, and creating the body of your paper!
Revise and Proofread
- Does your paper flow??
- Does it stay on topic?
- Is your information always relevant to the topic?
Ask Yourself:
- Does the title give the readers a good idea of what is to come?
- Is the research question clearly stated?
- Is there enough information in the introduction to establish the
importance of the question, and is it clear where the intro ends and the
body of the paper begins?
- Is there always a smooth transition between paragraphs?
- Does each paragraph have a topic sentence? (Does it make a connection
back to the research question?)
- Are there enough examples and reliable, convincing sources? Are there
too many?
- Does the conclusion leave a lasting impression or is it weak?
When Proofreading Remember to:
Have someone proofread it for you as well as proofreading on your own...
- Check verb tenses.
- Use non-sexist language.
- Read your paper out loud to make sure it flows, etc...
- Check your punctuation and grammar.
- Re-evaluate your diction and word choice. Make sure there isn't a more appropriate word to use.
- Check your spelling, of course! (No, Spell Check is not enough!!)
- Make sure your presentation is both neat and includes the layout and information your teacher required.
OK so you're finished. That wasn't so hard was it? And you were dreading that little thing? After reading those steps,
does a research paper really seem all that difficult or scary anymore? I bet not! So as long as you keep yourself on
track you will do fine! Good Luck :) Oh, and remember,
if you need any help or have any questions, just
Contact Us!
