How to Develop and Write a Research Paper

1. How to Develop and • Write a Research Paper

2. Developed by Judy Harding Coordinator of User Services Wadsworth Libraryand Christine McLaughlin Director of the Academic Success Center and the Writing Center

3. Research Paper Assignment Identify what the assignment requires: • topic possibilities • number of sources • 3 • type of sources (journal, book, Internet) • citation requirements (MLA) • presentation requirements (pamphlets) • length of paper • 3-4 typed written pages • due date • November 23, 2010 Paper and Pamphlet • Rough Draft—November 15, 2010

4. What Will I Need? • Large manila envelope • Note-taking sheets • Paperclips (for note-taking sheets) • 3-5 sources • 1 book • 2 electronic sources

5. Getting Started • Choose a topic based on requirements. • Your required topic is Careers • Ask yourself questions: • What do I know about the topic? • What would I like to learn? • What will others learn from reading my paper?

6. Formulate a Research Question • Start by finding background information on your topic: • Yep! We already did this in the computer lab

7. Personal Exploration of Topic Once you have familiarized yourself with the topic, reflect on your initial impressions: • Free Writing – just write down your thoughts • List Key Words – list words that describe your topic • We are actually passed this point, but you may complete the activity if you need a little brain charge.

8. Formulate a Question • Decide what question you want to answer with your research. • Formulate a Question – the answer to the question becomes your thesis question. • For example: • How have careers in computer science changed over the past 5 years? • What course of action would one need to take to become a successful attorney? • Which colleges/universities have the best programs for a journalism?

9. Starting Your Research • Decide what kind of information that you need based on your research assignment. • The information will be determined by your topic and assignment requirements: • Current or historical or both • Biographical information • Criticism and analysis • Statistics • And More

10. Finding Information in Books • Find Books – Check the library on-line catalog: • Search using the MHS media center webpage • SCOIS, KUDER, DISCUS • Locate if the book is in the MHS Library. • If the book is not available at MHS, you may use books from other public libraries.

11. Decide on the Usefulness of a Book • How to Evaluate a Book for the Assignment: • Read title as clue to content • Scan table of contents • Search for key terms in book index

12. Finding Information in Journals • Find Journal Articles in electronic databases: DISCUS 2. Ask the Librarian about the best databases to search on your topic: • i.e., InfoTrac Expanded Academic – Journal Articles - full text or citation (find actual journal through the library)

13. Decide on the Usefulness of Journal /Magazine Articles • Evaluate usefulness of journal articles for assignment: • Read title and subtitle as clue to content. • Read abstract if available. • Check key terms at end of article for related links to further explore topic.

14. Finding Information Using Internet Resources • SCOIS, KUDER, DISCUS • Or select a search engine or website.

15. Decide on the Usefulness of Internet Site Information • Evaluate Internet site: • find source of the site and information • Who is responsible for the website? • Who provided the information? • a person who is known in the field of study. • an organization that is reputable, i.e. American Cancer Society. • note currency of site – when was it last updated? • assess relevance of information to the assignment.

16. Ask a Librarian for Support • A librarian can assist you with the process of finding information sources for your assignment. • Stop by the library.

17. How to Avoid Plagiarism • How to Avoid Plagiarism – Review the PowerPoint presentation. It covers: • Citing sources of information. • How to paraphrase, summarize, quote. • How to cite your sources for your works cited page.

18. Taking Notes • Organizing Your Research Using Note Sheets • Read source actively by highlighting important information. • Record quotes that you may want to use later and include source and page number on card. • Create paraphrases and summaries on note sheets directly from your research. • Record on each page the author’s name and page number for later reference. • Organizing Your Research Using a Computerhttp://www.studygs.net/plagiarism.htm

19. Organize Your Research • Construct an Outline

20. Drafting • Follow your outline. • Begin to incorporate research material into each paragraph. • Cite your source for each quote, paraphrase and summary. • Check with your instructor about which documentation and format style to use. • Be sure to include your opinion and comments on the research. • Write your conclusion based on your answer to your research question (your thesis).

21. Need Help with Writing Your Draft? • A writing tutor can help you with how to outline and develop your paper. • Make an appointment with a writing tutor at the Writing Center. http://www.mountida.edu/filelibrary/TutorSchedSpring2007.doc

22. Preparing the Final Version of Your Research Paper • Revise draft based on comments from your instructor and/or tutor • Check cited sources for accuracy and MLA Style or another style format. • Proof read your work – don’t forget the Spell and Grammar check in Microsoft Word. • Add works cited page. • Add title page.

23. Acknowledgements • The original module was supported by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners through a LSTA Grant. • Marge Lippincott, Dean of Information Technology and Learning Resources, coordinated the effort and created the PowerPoint with Judy Harding and Christine McLaughlin.