Step 1: Understand your assignment
This seems pretty simple, right? But it's important to take the time to carefully read over what you have been asked to do. Look for words such as "discuss", "analyze", "evaluate" and "compare". Have you been asked to use specific types of information? How long is your paper supposed to be? What writing style are you expected to use?
If something isn't clear to you, ask your instructor.
And...you've heard this before...PLAN AHEAD and start well before the paper is due!
Step 2: Choose a topic
Research is a commitment of your time and energy, so it's essential to have a clear idea of what you are looking for before you start!
Has your instructor provided a list of suggested topics? Can you choose your own? Where do you start?
It's helpful to do a little background reading. Try your course textbook or check the Catalogue for other books related to your subject. Look for something that catches your interest. Consider different aspects of this idea. Then select a specific question or statement and use this as the focus for your paper.
Keep in mind that if your topic is too specific, you might have trouble finding enough information. On the other hand, if your topic is too broad, you might become overwhelmed by too much information! Try to find a good balance.
Be sure to discuss your topic choice with your instructor before you go any further!
Step 3: Decide what kind of information you need
Do you need books? Articles? Newspapers? Statistics?
Have you been asked to use primary sources? Primary sources represent original research, and are generally found in journals. Secondary sources are usually syntheses or summaries of the theories or research of others. Edited books and review articles are examples of secondary literature.
Remember to keep records of your research. This will help you if you want to find the source again. You will also need this information when you prepare the bibliography for your paper.
Step 4: Develop a search strategy
First of all, identify the main ideas or concepts of your topic. Simplify each concept to one word or a short phrase, and make a list. These are the keywords that you will use to search for information.
Next, brainstorm related words or synonyms for each keyword. Think of various forms of your keywords. Add these words to your list.
Now you can design your search. Most of the time you will be searching electronic databases, such as the Catalogue (for books) or the Library's E-Resources (for articles). The best strategy is to keep it simple! Start your search with:
- one keyword,
- two keywords joined by "AND", or
- a short phrase (example, "video games")
If you need to refine your search, you can add search terms or phrases later, or try alternate keywords.
Step 5: Find books
Use the Catalogue to find books. Go to www.eclibrary.ca and click on Catalogue. Start with a keyword search, using the keywords you've identified. You can also search the Catalogue by title or author.
The Catalogue lists all the books in the Library, plus DVDs, videos, audio CDs, CD-ROMs and more. It also provides links to electronic books, or "e-books".
Can't find a book that you would like to use? If it's not owned by the Library, it can be ordered through Interlibrary Loans.
Step 6: Find journal articles
If you want the most current research on your topic, you will want to look for journal articles.
Go to www.eclibrary.ca and click on E-Resources. A list of broad subject headings will appear. Choose one related to your topic to access a list of suitable databases. Each database provides access to many journals. You can search these databases with your keywords to find journal articles.
Are you required to use only scholarly, or peer-reviewed, articles? These are journal articles that have been critically reviewed by subject experts before being accepted for publication. If so, you cannot use articles from popular magazines or trade publications. Many databases allow you limit your search to scholarly, or "academic", articles.
Remember, to find scholarly information you must use a reliable source such as the Library's subscription databases. Most Internet websites do not provide acceptable information for academic research papers.
Want to look for articles from home? You can access E-resources from off-campus!
If you find an article that you would like to use, but the full article is not available in any format in the Library, you can request it through Interlibrary Loans.
A handy tool to help you manage your research is RefWorks. You can create a personal account in RefWorks, and use it to store articles and create bibliographies.
Step 7: Evaluate your information
Evaluating the information you've found is a critical step in producing a good research paper. No matter where your information comes from, you should look at it critically to decide if it is suitable for your paper.
Look at your information and consider the following:
- Is the author qualified to write on this topic?
- Is the publication scholarly? Be careful of information you find on the Internet - there are no controls on what is published on the web!
- Is the information current?
- Is the information accurate? Has it been verified by an editor or has the author provided references?
- Is the information objective? Does the publication show an obvious bias? Is there any advertising?
- Is the information directly relevant to your research paper?
- Do you have enough information? Does your research cover all aspects of your topic?
Step 8: Start writing your paper
Start by preparing a tentative outline of your paper. State your thesis in a clear, concise manner, and decide on the different sections of your paper.
Next, organize your information according to your outline.
Write a first draft of your paper.
Proof-read your draft. If you find that you don't have enough information, you need to do further research. Revise your paper if necessary.
Format your paper according to the writing style required by your instructor. The Library has reference books for the most commonly used styles, including:
- Publication manual of the American Psychological Association BF76.7 .P83 2001
- MLA handbook for writers of research papers LB2369 .M53 2009
- The Chicago manual of style Z253 .U69 2010
Step 9: Preparing a bibliography
Academic honesty requires that you acknowledge all the sources you use for information by preparing a list of references, or bibliography. Not doing so constitutes plagiarism.
Format your bibliography according to the style you are using (see Step 8).
RefWorks can be used to help you create a bibliography in any style you choose.
Step 10: Where to get help
Congratulations! You're on the right track to a successful research paper!
If you need any assistance at any step of the way in your research, please come and see us at the Library's Information Desk.
You can also contact us at 474-3450 ext. 4221, or email us .
We're here to help!
