How Do I Write A Research Paper?

Writing a research paper is a step-by-step process. If you follow the guidelines below, you will be off to an excellent start. Remember that steps may overlap, and that half the battle is selecting a topic that is of interest to you. If you are assigned a topic, find an aspect of the topic that has meaning for you. You will be amazed at how much more interesting your work will become. The links below cover all aspects of writing the research paper. If you need help in a particular area, ask for help. That's why we're here.

Included on this webpage:

Selecting a topic
Elements of the research paper - What do I need to include?
Where to find source material
Examining and evaluating source material
Taking notes
Protect yourself against plagiarism
Writing the Works Cited page and Intext citations
Sharing your work
Evaluating your work

Elements of the research paper - What do I need to include?

Basic Steps From Cambridge Rindge and Latin a terrific guide to conducting research.
Big Six Research Steps The research steps that are used in all of the Norwood Public Schools.
© 2000 by Tom Albrecht
Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)* Grammar and mechanics, Style Guides, and much more.

Where to find source material

Destiny Catalog
Print materials, CDs, DVDs, websites, ebooks. Create a working bibliography by making a personal resource list.
Databases
Use Gale PowerSearch to search multiple databases at one time. You can sign on thru Google, too, and use your own NHS Google account to take notes, email articles, etc.
EResources
Additional online ebooks, databases and websites including Defining Moments, Discovery Education, FactCite and more. Examples from Defining Moments: Integration of Baseball; Spanish-American War; Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Boston Public Library ecard. Apply online.
Your BPL eCard gives you access to: Downloadable ebooks and multimedia, Research databases and more.

Examining and evaluating source material

Part of being an excellent researcher is finding and selecting the best sources.
Examine and evaluate the source critically:

Does it answer the questions you have?
Who wrote the information? Credentials?
When was the material written? Why was it written?
Is the information relevant to your topic and the guidelines of the paper?
Does the source present another aspect of your topic that you should examine?

Taking notes

You have found excellent sources, so you're ready to take notes. Whichever system you use, paper, online, or a combination of the two, be sure that you have included identifying information, like color-coding, on each card. This will help you organize your material.

Note Taking and Avoiding Plagiarism
An excellent guide from John Woods Community College Library. Very clear and concise.
Taking Notes from Research Reading
It's not magic. Take good notes and label them. You're more than halfway to an excellent product.
University of Toronto

Protect Yourself Against Plagiarism

What is plagiarism? Well, it can be tricky. It is certainly more complicated than just not using someone's exact words. Check out at least one of these sources. Again, be prepared to laugh and learn.

Dr. Cite Right - Be prepared to laugh and learn.
Getting Permission - Just what it says and shows you what to do.
Now Showing Plagiarism Video - Again, be prepared to laugh and learn. Citation creation. Plug in the correct information.
Purdue Owl - Is It Plagiarism Yet? - Excellent guide. Plug in the source information.

Writing the Works Cited Page and Intext Citations

EasyBib and KnightCite - Citation creation. Plug in the correct information.
MLA Citation Examples
Don't understand what citing is? You will.
U. of Maryland University College
Purdue Online Writing Lab – MLA Formatting and Style Guide
Anything you need to know about MLA formatting and the research paper is here.
Purdue University
Purdue Online Writing Lab - APA Formatting and Style Guide
Anything you need to know about MLA formatting and the research paper is here.

Sharing Your Work

Sharing your work is an important element of the process. Besides a written paper, will you be creating a prezi presentation? an online poster? a dramatic presentation? a pinterest? Will you be presenting as a group?

Tech Tools

Evaluating Your Work

Take time when the project is completed to evaluate your research paper experience. Which steps were easiest for you? Why? Which steps were more difficult? Why? What will you do differently next time? Where do you need to allot more time?

Like most projects in life, you can improve by realistically looking at your work, recognizing where you need to improve and then taking the appropriate steps.

A few tips:

carefully read over the assignment
allot enough time for each aspect or step of the paper, especially pulling together
your notes and writing the paper
ask for help when you need it
keep focused on the topic and goal(s) of your paper