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How to Write a Research Paper June 5, 2002
Although writing a research paper can be one of the most daunting
aspects your college career, it is also one of the most useful.
Mastering research techniques and clearly stating the results of your
investigations into a topic can add to your base of knowledge and help
to develop techniques used in all courses of study, as well as in the
"real world."
Using the World Wide Web makes writing your paper much easier, as you
can find information on just about any topic, including how to write the
paper. What used to take hours in a library now takes minutes of typing
and you never have to worry about finding a resource only to be told it
has been checked out by another student!
Here are the basic steps to writing a research paper:
The Preliminaries
Choose a topic: Make sure it's one you enjoy, because you'll be living
with it a while! Check Web directories, search engines, and electronic
journals for ideas.
Begin preliminary reading: Check out biographical dictionaries,
encyclopedias, atlases, dictionaries, and newspapers, many of which are
available online.
Limit the topic: Look at encyclopedia entries, textbook headings, and
library catalogs to restrict the topic to one that can be examined in
the paper. Make sure you know the expectations from your professor in
terms of paper length.
Develop a preliminary thesis statement: This sentence states the purpose
of the paper and doesn't have to be fancy. (This paper will examine…) It
can be changed later.
Gathering Data
Compile the working bibliography: Arrange your sources from the
preliminary reading step, deciding which will be used in writing the
paper. It may be a good idea to put the information on 3" x 5" index
cards. Some professors require this.
Check out references: Be sure to check general and trade bibliographies,
library indexes, and other resources available in your college library
or online.
Taking Notes
Develop a preliminary outline: This helps arrange your ideas in the
proper order and you can tell if you have enough data for the paper (or
too much!)
Evaluate your source material: This is the time to determine your
primary and secondary sources. Be sure to make sure the sources are
reliable. Remember, not everything is true just because it's on the Web.
Begin note taking: Some professors require you to do this on 4" x 6"
index cards. Be sure to refer to your outline as a guide.
Avoid plagiarism: It is important to reach your own conclusions, use
your own words, and give credit where credit is due.
Writing the Paper (Finally)
Develop the final outline: Make sure you have all the information needed
for your introduction, body, and conclusion. The final outline provides
a clear, logical plan for the paper and makes paragraph development much
easier.
Prepare to write: It's a good idea to give yourself a full week to allow
enough time for writing, revising, and rewriting. Make sure your note
cards follow the order of your outline. Consider your readers when
determining the paper's tone and style.
Write the rough draft: Pay attention to writing style, technique,
grammar, and punctuation. It is very important to know how to use source
materials and cite them correctly. Check with your professor to see if
Modern Language Association (MLA) or American Psychological Association
(APA) format is to be used.
Revise and rewrite: Clean up any spelling or grammar mistakes and check
the format of the text, citations, notes, and bibliography.
Proofread: This is the last chance to make everything perfect (or at
least close) so it may be a good idea to set the paper aside for a while
before proofreading. Many mistakes can be avoided by taking your time.
There are all kinds of resources available to help you write your
research paper. Here are a few good places to start:
General Writing Resources:
Nuts and Bolts of College
Writing http://www.nutsandboltsguide.com/
Michael Harvey offers a college writing guide. The guide contains tips
on the writing process; instructions on how to write an essay;
assistance with online research, quotations, and citations; and help
with words, sentences, and punctuation.
Class Descrpt: Dewey: 378; 808.027 Descriptor: Authorship -- Style
manuals. Identifier: College students -- Services for. Dewey Subjects:
Higher education. Rhetoric & collections of literary texts from more
than two literatures. Document Type: World Wide Web Resource Update:
20011221 Computer File: Domain: com/ Commercial
Purdue University On-line
Writing Lab (OWL)
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
Presents the Purdue University On-line Writing Lab (OWL), which is
designed to offer distance learning for the Purdue community, as well as
other Internet users. Includes information on the Purdue University
Writing Lab, a tutorial center for writers who want to work one-on-one
with a tutor. Provides access to writing resources and Purdue resources.
Class Descrpt: Dewey: 651.74; 378.03; 378.05 Named Corp: Purdue
University On-line Writing Lab. Descriptor: Writing centers. / Distance
education. / State universities and colleges. Geographic: Indiana.
Document Type: World Wide Web Resource Update: 19990113 Dewey Subjects:
Office services. Higher education. Publication: Purdue University
On-line Writing Lab (OWL) Computer File: Domain: edu/Education
Guide to Grammar and
Writing http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
Features a collection of educational resources concerning grammar and
writing, presented by Charles Darling and Capital Community-Technical
College. Includes information on sentence structure, forms of
communication, and composition, as well as quizzes, a FAQ, reference
materials, and writing resources. Class Descrpt: Dewey: 808; 425
Descriptor: Composition (Language arts). / English language -- Grammar.
Document Type: World Wide Web Resource Update: 19991102 Dewey Subjects:
Rhetoric & collections of literary texts from more than two literatures.
English grammar. Computer File: Domain: edu/ Education
Resources for Writers and Writing Instructors
http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/links.html
Presents a collection of Internet resources for writers and writing
instructors, compiled by Jack Lynch. Offers access to newsgroups, style
guides, grammar information, dictionaries, instructions on writing
various genres, literary terms, newsletters, essays, publications,
research, and more. Class Descrpt: Dewey: 808.02; 808.027; 411; 025.04
Descriptor: Authorship. / Authorship -- Style manuals. / Writing. / Web
sites -- Directories. Document Type: World Wide Web Resource Update:
19991116 Dewey Subjects: Rhetoric & collections of literary texts from
more than two literatures. Writing systems. Library operations. Computer
File: Domain: edu/Education
Elements of Style
Publication: Bartleby.com
http://www.bartleby.com/141/index.html
Bartleby.com presents the full text of "The Elements of Style," by
William Strunk, Jr. Users may search the manual. The manual covers the
rules of usage, the principles of composition, words commonly misused,
and words commonly misspelled. Class Descrpt: Dewey: 070.5797; 808.027
Named Corp: Bartleby.com. Descriptor: Electronic books. / Authorship --
Style manuals. Document Type: Electronic Publication Update: 20020504
Dewey Subjects: Documentary, educational, news media; journalism;
publishing. Rhetoric & collections of literary texts from more than two
literatures. Computer File: Domain: com/ Commercial
A+ Research and Writing for
high school and college students: Step by Step
http://www.ipl.org/div/teen/aplus/
Presents information on the step by step approach to research and
writing for students provided by the Internet Public Library. Describes
how to choose a topic, create a focus, gather information, prepare to
write, and write the paper. Provides links to resources on writing,
citing sources, evaluating information, online searching skills, and
related sites. Class Descrpt: Dewey: 808.02; 371.30281 Descriptor:
Authorship. / Report writing. Document Type: World Wide Web Resource
Update: 20000214 Dewey Subjects: Rhetoric & collections of literary
texts from more than two literatures. Schools & activities; special
education. Computer File: Domain: org/Other Organization
Constructing Your Research Paper: How to Choose a Topic
http://library.ucsc.edu/ref/howto/choose_topic.html
Offers information on constructing a research paper, provided by the
McHenry Library of the University of California at Santa Cruz. Examines
such issues as choosing a topic, using bibliographies, and finding print
and electronic sources. Class Descrpt: Dewey: 001.4; 808; 371.30281
Descriptor: Research. / Composition (Language arts). / Report writing.
Document Type: World Wide Web Resource Update: 20000208 Dewey Subjects:
Knowledge. Rhetoric & collections of literary texts from more than two
literatures. Schools & activities; special education. Computer File:
Domain: edu/Education (modified 5/05)
Dr. Gwen's
Research Paper Information Page
http://www.fccj.edu/library/DrGwen/research.htm
Offers a directory of Web sites to assist students in doing research or
term papers, compiled by Gwen Chandler-Thompson. Lists the steps for
writing a successful paper. Links to dictionaries, writers' resources,
and literary sources. Class Descrpt: Dewey: 808; 371.30281; 025.04
Descriptor: Composition (Language arts). / Report writing. / Web sites
-- Directories. Document Type: World Wide Web Resource Update: 20000214
Dewey Subjects: Rhetoric & collections of literary texts from more than
two literatures. Schools & activities; special education. Library
operations. Computer File: Domain: us/United States
Researchpaper.com
http://www.researchpaper.com/
Presents Researchpaper.com, a collection of topics, ideas, and
assistance for school-related research projects, developed by
Infonautics Corporation. Offers a directory of ideas for research papers
in categories such as art and literature, history, science, business,
and society. Includes information about using the Internet as a research
tool, along with tips on improving the style and presentation of
research papers. Links to academic-related Internet sites. Class
Descrpt: Dewey: 371.30281072; 371.8; 371.30281 Named Corp: Infonautics
Corporation. Descriptor: Homework -- Research. / Students -- Services
for. / Report writing. Document Type: World Wide Web Resource Update:
20000216 Dewey Subjects: Schools & activities; special education.
Computer File: Domain: com/ Commercial
Citation
Resources: Citing the World Wide Web in Style
http://www.tsufl.edu/library/5/citation.htm
Presents information on using the American Psychological Association
(APA) and the Modern Language Association (MLA) styles of bibliographic
citation for WWW resources, provided by the Troy State University
Regional Library. Class Descrpt: Dewey: 025.324 Named Corp: Modern
Language Association. American Psychological Association. Descriptor:
Citation of electronic information sources. Document Type: World Wide
Web Resource Update: 20000309 Dewey Subjects: Library operations.
Computer File: Domain: edu/Education
Journalism
Resources: Karla's Guide to Citation Style Guides
http://bailiwick.lib.uiowa.edu/journalism/cite.html
Presents information about citation style guide topics that may be of
interest to journalists and writers. Includes links to sites and
information about American Psychological Association (APA) style, how to
cite information from the WWW, the Chicago Style Guide, citing
Lexis/Nexis, Modern Language Association (MLA) style, and other citation
information. Links to other journalism related sites. Class Descrpt:
Dewey: 025.324; 808.027; 025.324 Descriptor: Bibliographical citations.
/ Authorship -- Style manuals. / Citation of electronic information
sources. Document Type: World Wide Web Resource Update: 19990113 Dewey
Subjects: Library operations. Rhetoric & collections of literary texts
from more than two literatures. Publication: Karla Tonella Computer
File: Domain: edu/Education
Footnote
and Citation Style Guides
http://www.lehigh.edu/library/footnote/footnote.shtml
Presents a collection of Internet resources on generating footnotes and
citing sources, provided by the Lehigh University Libraries. Includes
major style manuals, including the "APA Style Guide" and the "MLA
Handbook for Writers of Research Papers." Highlights guides for citing
electronic sources. Offers instructions on citing sources in
engineering, the sciences, and social sciences. Class Descrpt: Dewey:
808.027; 025.324; 025.04 Named Corp: Modern Language Association.
American Psychological Association. Descriptor: Authorship -- Style
manuals. / Citation of electronic information sources. / Web sites --
Directories. Document Type: World Wide Web Resource Update: 20000215
Dewey Subjects: Rhetoric & collections of literary texts from more than
two literatures. Library operations. Computer File: Domain: edu/Education
Citing
Electronic Sources
http://learning.loc.gov/learn/start/cite/index.html
The Learning Page offers various examples of citations for such
electronic sources as films, legal documents and government
publications, maps, photographs, and sound recordings. The Learning
Page, which is a service of the U.S. Library of Congress American Memory
Collection, notes that there are no definitive guidelines for citing
electronic sources. Class Descrpt: Dewey: 375.001; 025.324; 025.324
Named Corp: United States. Library of Congress. Descriptor: Curriculum
enrichment. / Bibliographical citations. / Citation of electronic
information sources. Document Type: World Wide Web Resource Update:
20020522 Dewey Subjects: Curricula. Library operations. Computer File:
Domain: gov/Government
Citation Style Guides for Internet and Electronic Sources
http://www.library.ualberta.ca/guides/citation/index.cfm
Features citation style guides for the Internet and electronic sources,
compiled by the University of Alberta Libraries. Explains the types of
electronic sources and includes citation examples. Offers access to
online style guides and lists print style guides in the university
libraries. Class Descrpt: Dewey: 025.324 Descriptor: Citation of
electronic information sources. Document Type: World Wide Web Resource
Update: 20020115 Dewey Subjects: Library operations. Computer File:
Domain: ca/ Canada
Internet Citation Guides
http://www.library.wisc.edu/libraries/Memorial/citing.htm
Presents a collection of online Internet citation guides to be used for
citing electronic sources in research papers and bibliographies,
provided by Memorial Library at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Notes that the guides are organized by style. Class Descrpt: Dewey:
025.324; 025.04 Descriptor: Citation of electronic information sources.
/ Web sites -- Directories. Document Type: World Wide Web Resource
Update: 19991004 Dewey Subjects: Library operations. Computer File:
Domain: edu/ Education
This guide was prepared by NetFirst editors Tina Goode, Kim Hardin, and
Marette Irwin, all of whom wish they'd had Internet access when they
were writing their college research papers!
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