Research paper

Note

The research and writing process is not always linear. Keep in mind you may need to go forward or backwards.

• Read through and understand your assignment (from UNC). Be sure to what the guidelines are for using or not using AI for your research paper. Ask your instructor about what is allowed -- each instructor gets to decide and each class will be different. It is your responsibility to ask your instructor. Learn more at Generative AI tools (Gemini, CoPilot, ChatGPT) library research guide. 
• Email or visit your instructor's office hours with questions. This can be very helpful! 
• Choosing and refining topics (from WAC Clearinghouse). 
• Conduct preliminary investigation into topic using Google or other web searches. Work to understand your topic and the issues surrounding it.
  • Try a specialized online encyclopedia.
  • Get background on current topics using online tools like CQ Researcher or Opposing Viewpoints in Context.
  • Write down 5-10 keywords about your topic including terms, jargon, events, people, places, etc. to use as keywords or search terms when you do more searching for sources.

• Revise and narrow topic as needed. Many students think this is one of the hardest steps!
  • Move from topic to develop a thesis statement (from Harvard).
  • How to Write a Thesis Statement (from Indiana University).
  • Thesis Statement Creator
• Get online or in-person writing support at Center for Writing's Student Writing Support.
• Have questions? Ask us! Chat 24/7, email, online consultations from librarians

• Use a variety of keywords or search terms to find sources. Enter your keywords into library article database or tools like Google Scholar. Use quotation marks to search for phrases. e.g. "energy drinks." Use the filters to limit your results by date, material type or subject. 
• As you find sources, ask yourself: What can this source do for me? How will I use this evidence?
  • As background or to provide a context?
  • To introduce and situate your thesis within existing conversation on topic?
  • As evidence to support or counter an argument? 
• Use a variety of tools to find sources. Be sure you can get to PDFs (don't pay for articles. Use our online request form to get from Libraries). Gather and read different types of sources or evidence such as online books, journal, magazine and newspaper articles. Spend time evaluating sources before using it for academic work
  • Search subject-specific databases to find articles in a specific discipline or subject (e.g. Business journals, film studies journals, health sciences journals, etc.).
  • Learn more: How do I find articles?
  • What does it mean to be a scholarly source? (video, 2 mins)
  • How to read and comprehend scientific research articles (video, 5 mins)
  • Finding online newspaper articles
  • Specialized sources such as historical or primary documents and archives, data or statistics or government information.
• Gather information on your sources for your bibliography.
  • Consider using Zotero or tools to save PDFs and create in-text citations and bibliography.
  • Watch Citation: A (Very) Brief Introduction (from UNC) (video, 2 mins)

• Evaluate sources based on your research question or working thesis.
• Take notes on readings while reading. Use tools to comment or highlight PDFs. Try close reading (from Harvard) and read to write strategies (from UNC). How to read and comprehend scientific reserch articles (video, 5 mins)
• Conduct more research to fill in gaps as needed. Or ask a librarian for help in finding additional sources. 
• As you read your sources, think about how the sources talk to each other or could talk to each other. Watch what is the scholarly conversation (video, 2 mins) and the rules of the scholarly conversation (video, 2 mins).

• Polish or refine your arguments as a response to your research question (from Wisconsin). If needed, revisit How to Write a Thesis Statement (from Indiana University).
• Organize your thoughts and your paper's structure. Try the following techniques:
  • Outlines (from Indiana) or try Reverse Outline (PDF).
  • Diagram such as brainstorming (from UNC), concept mapping, idea trees or quadrants.
  • Talk out your structure. Record yourself talking about your topic and ideas. Transcribe your thoughts to the computer.
  • Get in person or online writing support at the Center for Writing's Student Writing Support.
• If you are ready to start writing, begin with segments or chunks, not necessarily the introduction or beginning. As you write you will discover more of what you want to say and then you can fit the chunks or segments together. 
• Watch Citation: A (Very) Brief Introduction (from UNC) (video, 2 mins)

Keep in mind there are many ways to approach writing your first draft. You do not have to start at the beginning. Instead begin drafting segments or chunks. Concentrate on writing your rough ideas and not on revising.

• Draft additional segments. Develop connections between segments.
• Take breaks. Use breaks as a way to keep your brain and your writing fresh.
• As you incorporate others' ideas or words into your paper be sure to cite your sources with in-text citations. Ask your instructor if you are unsure on which citation style to use (e.g. APA, MLA, etc.).
  • Use strategies to avoid plagiarism (from UNC).
  • Quote and paraphrase sources (from Wisconsin).
  • Integrating quotations from sources from U of M's Center for Writing.
• Get in person or online writing support at the Center for Writing's Student Writing Support.
• In light of your draft, you might need to revise your thesis.
• Use Revising drafts (from UNC).
• Draft your bibliography or works cited page. Consider using Zotero or other tools to create your bibliography. Be sure to double check the citations.

• As you polish and revise check with guide for additional tips including style, grammar and punctuation tips from U of M's Center for Writing, editing and proofreading your essay (from UNC) or writing an effective title from U of M's Center for Writing.
• Explore Student English Language Support.
• Check citations and formatting.
  • What are citations? (from Libraries)
  • Consider using Zotero or other tools to create your bibliography. Be sure to double check the citations.