|
|
|
|
|
IntroductionResearch Paper HelpWriting a research paper is not as difficult as it might first seem. Generally, there are seven steps involved: 1. Choose a topic. First, you have to decide what
you want to research. Try not to pick too broad of a topic (for example,
"Oceanography"), but one that you can reasonably cover in the page
length assigned and that you can complete in the time allowed. 2. Gather background information. Begin your research by finding sources that provide an overview of your topic. The Internet is a good place to start gathering basic information, so try search engines and Internet guides. Some are better than others, so you might want to try a few. When doing research it's important to be careful about your sources. Just because something is "in print" doesn't mean it's true or accurate. You should always check several sources (electronic and print) to make sure the information is correct. For Internet sites, always take into account who has posted it. Look for sites by reputable (trustworthy) organizations, such as universities, research institutes, or government agencies. If a site is promoting a certain point of view, it could influence the information that appears. The reference section of your school or local library is also a good place to start your research. There you will find encyclopedias, almanacs, handbooks, and other sources. If you are new to the library, ask a librarian to show you around. Librarians are very knowledgeable people and are always glad to help you. 3. Refine your topic. After you have gathered some basic information, it's a good idea to revisit your topic and determine if it's still appropriate. Can you find enough sources? Does it need to be narrowed? Does it still interest you? 4. Gather information. Newspapers, journals, books, and government documents are some of the many possible sources you can find online or at a library. The types of sources you use depends on your topic. More recent information can be found in newspapers and journals, while books usually contain more detailed and historical information on a topic. Newspaper and journal articles can often be found on the Internet. Newspapers usually archive articles on their websites and journal articles can often be found in databases. Your school or local library may provide access to such databases. Most federal, state, and local governments post recent documents on their websites. Copies of older documents may have to be sent for or obtained at a library. 5. Organize your information. After you have gathered the information, you need to organize it in a way that will be easy for a reader to follow. Think about the most logical presentation. Should someone read about the history of a topic before or after they read about the latest findings? How you organize your paper depends on what works best for you and your topic. 6. Write the paper. Now you are ready to write your paper! For information on the writing process, see the links below. Don't forget to proofread your paper before turning it in. Spelling and grammatical errors can cost you points! 7. Cite your resources. There are several different formats
for citing your resources, including web sites. Check with your teacher
for the one they prefer. There are many websites that can help you improve your research and writing skills. Here are a few that you might find useful:
Some external resources used with permission: Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) |
|
|
