This document provides guidance on developing and writing a research paper in 3 steps: 1) Choosing a topic and formulating a research question, 2) Conducting research using books, journals, and internet resources, and 3) Drafting and revising the paper. It discusses identifying assignment requirements, exploring the topic, taking notes, organizing research, avoiding plagiarism, getting help from tutors, and preparing the final version.

1. How to Develop and
Write a Research Paper

2. Developed by
Judy Harding
Coordinator of User Services
Wadsworth Library
and
Christine McLaughlin
Director of the Academic Success Center
and the Writing Center

3. Research Paper Assignment
Identify what the assignment requires:
 topic possibilities
 number of sources
 type of sources (journal, book, Internet)
 citation requirements (MLA, APA, Chicago)
 presentation requirements (oral or written)
 length of paper
 due date

4. Getting Started
• Choose a topic based on requirements.
• Ask yourself questions:
• What do I know about the topic?
• What would I like to learn?
• What will others learn from reading my
paper?

5. Formulate a Research Question
 Startby finding background information on
your topic:
– Resource Links to Background Information:
 How to Find Journal Articles in Electronic
Databases
 How to find Books in the Online Catalog

6. Personal Exploration of
Topic
Once you have familiarized yourself with the
topic, reflect on your initial impressions:
 Free Writing – just write down your thoughts
 List Key Words – list words that describe your topic
 Clustering/Webbing - create a web that links terms
together (an example of webbing is on the next
slide)

7. Webbing - red is the topic
1.Relax. Play some creative music.
2.Spelling or style doesn't count.
3.Don't worry about organization.
4.Free-associate ideas. Keep them
simple.
5.Write or sketch as quickly as you
can.
6.Write or sketch in any order.
7.Develop all ideas.
8.Keep working.
®Content and materials published in http://www.graphic.org site may be duplicated for
educational, non-profit, single school use only.

8. Formulate a Question
 Decide what question you want to answer
with your research.
 Formulate a Question – the answer to the
question becomes your thesis question.
 For example:
– How does exercise improve someone’s mental health?
– What are the effects of violent video games on elementary
school children?
– What was the impact of Cubism on early twentieth century
culture?
– Should elementary schools provide more programming in the
arts?

9. Starting Your Research
 Decide what kind of information that you
need based on your research assignment.
 The information will be determined by your
topic and assignment requirements:
– Current or historical or both
– Biographical information
– Criticism and analysis
– Statistics
– And More

10. Finding Information in Books
1. Find Books – Check the library on-line catalog:
Minuteman Library Network Catalog
1. Search just Mount Ida College or all MLN libraries:
For help with searching or stop by and see a librarian
in the Wadsworth Library.
2. Locate if the book is in the Wadsworth Library.
3. If the book is not available at Mount Ida, you may
directly request that the book be delivered to the
Wadsworth Library or ask the Librarian to request
the book for you.

11. Decide on the
Usefulness of a Book
1. How to Evaluate a Book for the
Assignment:
a. Read title as clue to content
b. Scan table of contents
c. Search for key terms in book index

12. Finding Information in
Journals
1. Find Journal Articles in electronic databases:
Electronic Databases
2. Ask the Librarian about the best databases to
search on your topic:
 i.e., InfoTrac Expanded Academic – Journal
Articles - full text or citation (find actual journal
through the library)

13. Decide on the Usefulness of
Journal Articles
 Evaluate
usefulness of journal articles for
assignment:
– Read title and subtitle as clue to content.
– Read abstract if available.
– Check key terms at end of article for related
links to further explore topic.

14. Finding Information
Using Internet Resources
1. Click on Internet Resources part of the
MLN homepage.
2. Or select a search engine or website.

15. Decide on the Usefulness of
Internet Site Information
1. Evaluate Internet site:
a. find source of the site and information
 Who is responsible for the website?
 Who provided the information?
• a person who is known in the field of study.
• an organization that is reputable, i.e.
American Cancer Society.
a. note currency of site – when was it last
updated?
b. assess relevance of information to the
assignment.

16. Ask a Librarian for Support
A librarian can assist you with the process
of finding information sources for your
assignment.
 Stop
by the library. Click for Library
Hours.
 Contact the librarian via e-mail or in person.

17. How to Avoid Plagiarism
 Howto Avoid Plagiarism – Review the
PowerPoint presentation. It covers:
– Citing sources of information.
– How to paraphrase, summarize, quote.
– How to cite your sources for your works cited
page.

18. Taking Notes
 Organizing Your Research Using Note Cards
– Read source actively by highlighting important
information.
– Record quotes that you may want to use later and
include source and page number on card.
– Create paraphrases and summaries on note cards
directly from your research.
– Record on each note card the author’s name and page
number for later reference.
 Organizing Your Research Using a Computer
http://www.studygs.net/plagiarism.htm

19. Organize Your Research
 Construct an Outline

20. Drafting
 Follow your outline.
 Begin to incorporate research material into each
paragraph.
 Cite your source for each quote, paraphrase and
summary.
 Check with your instructor about which
documentation and format style to use.
 Be sure to include your opinion and comments on
the research.
 Write your conclusion based on your answer to
your research question (your thesis).

21. Need Help with
Writing Your Draft?
A writing tutor can help you with how to
outline and develop your paper.
 Make an appointment with a writing tutor at
the Writing Center.
http://www.mountida.edu/filelibrary/TutorS
chedSpring2007.doc

22. Preparing the Final Version of
Your Research Paper
 Revise draft based on comments from your
instructor and/or tutor
 Check cited sources for accuracy and MLA Style
or another style format.
 Proof read your work – don’t forget the Spell and
Grammar check in Microsoft Word.
 Add works cited page.
 Add title page.

23. Acknowledgements
 Theoriginal module was supported by the
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
through a LSTA Grant.
 Marge Lippincott, Dean of Information
Technology and Learning Resources, coordinated
the effort and created the PowerPoint with Judy
Harding and Christine McLaughlin.