How To Research a Paper

  • February 1, 2008
  • 6,764 Views
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Got a big research paper? It’s not nearly as daunting if you break it down into steps.

You Will Need

  • Good Library
  • Notebook
  • Internet Access
  • Expert to Interview
How To Research a Paper: Decide your objective

Step 1: Decide your objective

Spend some time thinking about what you want your paper to accomplish. Do you want it to prove your viewpoint? Explain a topic? You’ll want to have a clear focus before you begin your research.

How To Research a Paper: List key words

Step 2: List key words

Make a list of key words that will be helpful in locating information when you conduct online and offline searches.

How To Research a Paper: Go to the library

Step 3: Go to the library

Go to the library. Yeah, we know—you think you can find everything you need with your laptop. But to get an actual book on a topic, plus find academic papers, journals, and other subscriber-only materials, you’ll need to head to a library.

If your library doesn’t have a book you need, ask the librarian to borrow it from another branch.

How To Research a Paper: Check library indexes

Step 4: Check library indexes

Use the library’s indexes to find articles in periodicals, like trade journals and magazines. They’ll contain the very latest information on your subject.

Note your sources carefully as you go along to make the bibliography easier—and to prevent plagiarism!

How To Research a Paper: Go online

Step 5: Go online

Okay, now you can do some online research by plugging in those key words you listed at the start. Only take information from reputable sites and organizations.

Consider interviewing an expert in the field you’re researching. It’s a guaranteed way to impress your professor.

How To Research a Paper: Find statistics

Step 6: Find statistics

While you’re researching the facts, don’t forget the figures. Find useful statistics.

Helpful search words for stats include “percent of,” “Census Bureau,” and “survey results.”

How To Research a Paper: Don't forget the videos

Step 7: Don't forget the videos

Don’t forget the videos. See if there are any documentaries on your topic.

How To Research a Paper: Start writing

Step 8: Start writing

Organize your research, mull it over, and then start writing!

Did you know? One study found that students who frequently used the library got higher ACT scores and performed better on reading and writing exams.

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Comments (4)

Research_Samurai

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about 1 year ago by Research_Samurai

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Research_Samurai

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about 1 year ago by Research_Samurai

Reply
Research_Samurai

<;a href=";http://bestresearchpaper.co.uk";>;thanks for the explanatory video about how to write a research paper. There's really lot of things that i come to know about writing research paper after i watched your video. in addition this site provides tons of tutorials that explains ways to getting research paper professionally<;/a>;

about 1 year ago by Research_Samurai

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