This document provides an overview of the key components of a research paper. It defines research as a systematic process of investigation to establish facts and reach new conclusions. The key players in a research paper are primary sources, secondary sources, and tertiary sources. Primary sources are original materials from a specific time period, secondary sources interpret or evaluate primary sources, and tertiary sources are collections of information based on primary and secondary sources. The document also discusses the writing process, works cited pages, MLA documentation, planning the research paper, and avoiding plagiarism. It advises focusing a research paper project on 2-3 primary and secondary sources to support an existing stance.