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Some Suggested Steps to a Successful Research Paper

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1. Choose Your Topic


 



  • Choose your topic wisely - not too broad or too narrow, avoid controversial or overworked topics.


 



  • Take time to narrow your topic - Do some reading on the broad subject area before narrowing - this may seem like extra work, but it will be MUCH easier to write your paper when you have intelligently narrowed your topic! Use encyclopedias, journal articles, books, web pages.


 



  • Does some preliminary research - What kinds of information are available?  Choose a topic you can easily research.


 



  • Write a thesis statement to define the main idea of your paper.  What will you describe or prove?  Your thesis statement is your compass; it will keep your paper going in the right direction


2. Research your topic


  • Make a list of keywords to use.  (Write them down!) List synonyms - you never know what will bring up a 'hit' in a database.


 



  • Use the Catalog to find books in the TSU collection.  Try a variety of keywords, and keywords that are broader than your topic


 



  • Use World cat to find books in other libraries.  You can borrow them through inter-library loan. Allow a week or two for delivery


 


 



  • Use appropriate databases to find articles.


 



  • Use print indexes if your topic is older or historic (e.g. the Vietnam War). Try the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature - Ask for assistance -  a librarian will be glad to help.


 



  • Use the Internet wisely. Evaluate your sources, check government sites, make precise searches


3. Write the paper


  • Find a way to organize your materials - chronologically, or  by point or subtopic


 



  • Don't forget that tool from English class - an OUTLINE.  It will make writing easier, since you know where you are going.


 



  • Don't expect the first draft to be a finished product.  Write it up quickly and REWRITE! It's easier in the long run.


 



  • Consider writing your bibliography FIRST - you will be less likely to overlook material and more likely to see 'the forest ' instead of 'the trees'.


4. Details Matter

 

 

 

 

·         Use correct spelling and grammar - PROOFREAD.

 

·         Use correct citation format - be consistent

 

 

·         Follow the instructor's specified format.  Double-spaced? Name on each page?  Footnotes or endnotes?  Check your assignment or syllabus to make sure you understand the requirements.



Site Link: http://www.academic-writing.net/researchpapers.htm

 



Article Source: MxGet Article Directory



About the Author

 

The authors wish to thank the wonderful folks for their years of dedication and faith in all our work, and all the successful students who have used our site.
 
For information about all aspects of paper writing especially essay, term paper, research paper, thesis and dissertation please visit the author’s Web site.
 
Katharine Hansen

www.academic-writing.net

http://www.academic-writing.net/researchpapers.htm

 



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