10 steps in writing research paper

Include Synonyms Include Dead terms. Retaining the compact format of earlier editions, this updated book presents techniques and models for high school and college students to write successful research papers. After a preface and an introduction to research, the book discusses the 10 steps in writing a research paper: 1 find a subject; 2 read a general article; 3 formulate a temporary thesis and a temporary outline; 4 prepare the preliminary bibliography; 5 take notes from relevant sources; 6 label notecards and revise working outline; 7 write the first draft; 8 revise the text, write introduction and conclusion; 9 parenthetical references or footnotes on draft; and 10 put the paper in final form. The book also presents excerpts from a sample research paper to illustrate the parenthetical reference method and the traditional footnote method.

How to Write a Research Paper: 10 Steps + Resources

If you are bored with the topic, you will probably bore your reader as well. Choose something that is new and exciting, not something overworked. Is information on this subject available in various forms i. Please note: if information is too abundant, you may have to narrow or limit your topic.

The outline should serve as a road map for your journey with your thesis as your navigator — it tells you where to go. When writing your outline, keep your destination in mind. Your information will help you get there, but how will you organize your journey? The thesis should be placed at the beginning of the outline where you can refer to it often. Your teacher may require you to write one or both of the following types of outlines: a topic outline, in which the headings and subheadings are a series of words or phrases, not complete sentences; or a sentence outline, in which every heading and subheading is a complete sentence.

Your teacher can help guide you through the outlining process. Keep in mind: the outline is not meant to hamper or restrict you.

It can be changed and revised to allow you to prove your thesis more effectively. Select a topic that will allow you to compile, analyze, and interpret information from numerous sources so that your paper becomes a valuable source of information for the reader. Remember, a good research paper should help your teacher learn as well. If you are truly interested in your topic, the research process should generate excitement. Think of yourself as an investigative reporter or a detective uncovering information that is as yet undiscovered.

Think of your media center as a great starting point for your new adventure. Read as much as you can about your subject. A research paper is really a long answer or a series of answers to a questionthat a reader may have about.

After you have asked your question, phrase it in the form of a focused statement that will allow you to use available information to prove or substantiate it. When formulating your thesis, use specific, concrete words. Your thesis does not need to be an absolute truth but something that will provoke thought and can be proven by your research.

We can now make our research questions above into effective, focused thesis statements. Look in the card catalog for books, videos, audiocassettes, the vertical file, etc. Check online paid subscription databasese.

Evaluate sources for authority, objectivity, accuracy, and content. Check copyright dates, materials older than five years may not be suitable for certain topics. Internet sources require special consideration. In the process of doing research, one needs to access information efficiently and effectively. One must also identify a variety of potential sources of information, print as well as online.

It is essential to evaluate critically and competently the information found. While most print resources found in the media center have been chosen for accuracy and quality before inclusion, the Internet presents the researcher with enormous quantities of information that may or may not be authentic, accurate, or objective. Therefore, when using the Internet as an information source, evaluating the information is essential.

Note taking will help you establish a way in which you can easily retrieve information that you have researched. There are many ways to take notes. The preferred method in this district is index cards. However, other methods include graphic organizers, legal pads or other types of paper with source summary information written in a manner that the researcher can understand.

Whichever method you are required to use, be sure to include: subject heading, the note, and an identification of its source. The identification of source is particularly important in your attempts to avoid plagiarism. Paraphrased notes take more time and effort, but they save time in the long run, since they can be incorporated, verbatim, into your final paper.

When paraphrasing, read your source at least once, digest it, look away from the source and write the main ideas in your own words, and then check it for accuracy. Ask your teacher if you are experiencing difficulties taking notes. As you prepare to submit your final paper, evaluate what you have learned. Judge the result of the work in conducting your research effectiveness and the research process efficiency.

Access the materials. Read, hear, view, and touch. Finalize the thesis statement and prepare a working outline. Step 2: Define the task and prepare a working thesis. What question do you want to answer about the topic you have chosen? Step 3: Brainstorm all possible sources. Step 4: Locate and evaluate sources for appropriateness for the assignment. Cautionary note: Using the Internet as an Information Resource In the process of doing research, one needs to access information efficiently and effectively.

Step 5: Access the materials Access possible sources of information by reading, listening, viewing, or touching.

Step 7: Finalize the thesis statement and prepare a working outline. Step 8: Use information. Read source materials, view videos, listen to tapes or interviews and take notes. Step 9: Synthesize. Organize your notes according to the working outline.

Revise your thesis statement and outline. Write the first draft with title, in-text citations, and Works Cited page.

Revise the first draft. Write the final draft with title, in-text citations, and Works Cited page. Step Evaluate As you prepare to submit your final paper, evaluate what you have learned. Is the final paper effective? Was the information problem-solving process efficient?

2: Define the task and prepare a working thesis. 3: Brainstorm all possible sources.

Before you start any assignment, you need to know what your instructor is asking you to do. However, always talk to your instructor if you don't understand the instructions. Come up with a research question to help you focus your topic. To learn how to develop an interesting idea into a research question, watch the Library's tutorial Defining a Research Question and Doing Background Research.

Writing a good research paper can be daunting if you have never done it before.

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Writing & Citing

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7 Steps in Writing a Research Paper: Enjoy Your Student Life

Faster and secure way to pay. Are you staring at the blank page on your screen and have no idea how to approach your challenging research paper? If you are not sure where to start, read this article to learn about effective strategies that make this process as painless as possible. Sometimes college students are assigned with their research paper topics , but if you are fortunate enough to have such an option, choose your topic wisely. First of all, think about choosing a challenging topic you are interested in. If your topic is too broad, your research paper is unlikely to be successful because it will look like a general overview. You should narrow your topic down to a certain aspect, concept or idea and make it specific and manageable. Prepare a working thesis before you actually organize your research because it will guide your investigation and will help you stay focused on your subject. Your thesis statement should be concise and reflect the type of paper you are writing.

If you are bored with the topic, you will probably bore your reader as well. Choose something that is new and exciting, not something overworked.

To write a good research paper, you must be specific about your topic, know what you want to say, and say it effectively. Following these ten steps will help you write a good research paper. When choosing a topic, choose one in which you are interested, and for which there is enough information. If your topic is too broad, you will have difficulty completing your paper.

Ten Steps for Writing a Research Paper

Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. Would you like to tell us about a lower price? If you are a seller for this product, would you like to suggest updates through seller support? Updated to conform to today's academic standards and the most recent Internet research sources, this succinct, easy-to-follow guide gives students clear directions for writing papers in virtually all academic subjects. The authors describe how to determine a subject, formulate and outline a provisional thesis, prepare a bibliography, take notes from sources, write a draft, then revise and edit the paper, bringing it to its final form. Added advice includes avoiding plagiarism and making the most of library and Internet resources. Read more Read less. Kindle Cloud Reader Read instantly in your browser.

Ten Steps to Writing a Good Research Paper

Space them out over the next five days. If you sit down for about one hour a day between now and then, you will have ample time to write an engaging and effective rough draft. Sit down for 30 minutes. Spend 10 minutes each on three of the following prewriting exercises:. Spend 30 minutes searching through the online library to identify four more sources.