The following steps outline a simple and effective strategy for writing a research paper. For a more in-depth review of the research process, see our guide, Research @ Reynolds Libraries.
Selecting a topic can be the most challenging part of a research assignment. Since this is the very first step in writing a paper, it is vital that it be done correctly. Here are some tips for selecting a topic:
Once you have identified your topic, it may help to state it as a question. For example, if you are interested in finding out about the epidemic of obesity in the American population, you might pose the question "What are the causes of obesity in America ?" By posing your subject as a question you can more easily identify the main concepts or keywords to be used in your research.
The basic steps listed under each tab outline a simple and effective strategy for writing a research paper. These steps are adapted from the web page, Basic Steps in the Research Process, Learning Resource Center, North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park, MN. For a more in-depth review of the research process, see our guide, Research @ Reynolds Libraries.
Before beginning your research in earnest, do a preliminary search to determine whether there is enough information out there for your needs and to set the context of your research. Look up your keywords in the appropriate titles in the library's Reference collection (such as encyclopedias and dictionaries) and in other sources such as our Gale Virtual Reference Library database and Wikipedia. Additional background information may be found in your lecture notes, textbooks, and reserve readings. You may find it necessary to adjust the focus of your topic in light of the resources available to you.
The basic steps listed under each tab outline a simple and effective strategy for writing a research paper. These steps are adapted from the web page, Basic Steps in the Research Process, Learning Resource Center, North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park, MN. For a more in-depth review of the research process, see our guide, Research @ Reynolds Libraries.
With the direction of your research now clear to you, you can begin locating material on your topic. There are a number of places you can look for information:
If you are looking for books, perform a search in the library catalog. Write down, print out, or take a photo of the information in the catalog record including the author, title, and the location (call number and collection) for the item(s) you are interested in. Note the circulation status. When you locate the book on the shelf, look at the books located nearby; similar items are always shelved in the same area.
Use Reynolds Libraries research databases such as Academic Search Complete to find scholarly journal articles. Choose the databases best suited to your particular topic; ask a Reynolds librarian if you need help figuring out which database best meets your needs. Many of the articles in the databases are available in full-text format.
The basic steps listed under each tab outline a simple and effective strategy for writing a research paper. These steps are adapted from the web page, Basic Steps in the Research Process, Learning Resource Center, North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park, MN. For a more in-depth review of the research process, see our guide, Research @ Reynolds Libraries.
See Criteria for evaluating sources for tips on evaluating the authority and quality of the information you have located. Your instructor expects that you will provide credible, truthful, and reliable information and you have every right to expect that the sources you use are providing the same. This step is especially important when using resources on the open Web, many of which are regarded as less than reliable.
The basic steps listed under each tab outline a simple and effective strategy for writing a research paper. These steps are adapted from the web page, Basic Steps in the Research Process, Learning Resource Center, North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park, MN. For a more in-depth review of the research process, see our guide, Research @ Reynolds Libraries.
Consult the resources you have chosen and note the information that will be useful in your paper. Be sure to document all the sources you consult, even if you there is a chance you may not use that particular source. The author, title, publisher, URL, and other information will be needed later when creating a References or Works Cited page.
The basic steps listed under each tab outline a simple and effective strategy for writing a research paper. These steps are adapted from the web page, Basic Steps in the Research Process, Learning Resource Center, North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park, MN. For a more in-depth review of the research process, see our guide, Research @ Reynolds Libraries.
Begin by organizing the information you have collected. The next step is the rough draft, wherein you get your ideas on paper in an unfinished fashion. This step will help you organize your ideas and determine the form your final paper will take. After this, you will revise the draft as many times as you think necessary to create a final product to turn in to your instructor.
The basic steps listed under each tab outline a simple and effective strategy for writing a research paper. These steps are adapted from the web page, Basic Steps in the Research Process, Learning Resource Center, North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park, MN. For a more in-depth review of the research process, see our guide, Research @ Reynolds Libraries.
Give credit where credit is due; cite your sources.
Citing or documenting the sources used in your research serves two purposes: it gives proper credit to the authors of the materials used, and it allows those who are reading your work to duplicate your research and locate the sources that you have listed as references. Ask your instructor what citation style to use. APA and MLA are two of the most popular citation styles used at Reynolds Community College.
Failure to cite your sources properly is plagiarism. Plagiarism is avoidable!
The basic steps listed under each tab outline a simple and effective strategy for writing a research paper. These steps are adapted from the web page, Basic Steps in the Research Process, Learning Resource Center, North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park, MN. For a more in-depth review of the research process, see our guide, Research @ Reynolds Libraries.
The final step in the process is to proofread the paper you have created. Read through the text and check for any errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Make sure the sources you used are cited properly. Make sure the message that you want to get across to the reader has been thoroughly stated.
The basic steps listed under each tab outline a simple and effective strategy for writing a research paper. These steps are adapted from the web page, Basic Steps in the Research Process, Learning Resource Center, North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park, MN. For a more in-depth review of the research process, see our guide, Research @ Reynolds Libraries.
The basic steps listed under each tab outline a simple and effective strategy for writing a research paper. These steps are adapted from the web page, Basic Steps in the Research Process, Learning Resource Center, North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park, MN. For a more in-depth review of the research process, see our guide, Research @ Reynolds Libraries.