The first step in the research paper writing process is to understand your assignment.  Be sure to check in with your teacher if you do not understand the assignment or stop by the ARC to meet with a teacher who can help you.

Next you'll want to choose a topic.  Your topic should interest you and should be manageable depending on the assignment and the time you have to complete the assignmnet.  You should first ask yourself the following questions:

• • What am I interested in?

  • How can I relate this to my assignment/class?

  • What questions can I ask about this topic?

Keep in mind, your topic may change, and that's ok.  It may not stick on the first try!

Check out these resources for more help with choosing a topic:

• University of Michigan Flint How to Choose a Topic

• MIT Writing Center

• USU Research Topic How To Video

Once you've settled on a topic (or even more than one topic - that's ok too!), identify the key words related to the topic.  Choosing key words will help you to refine your research.  If you are having trouble making a list of key words related to your topic, try reading the helpful information here from the Univeristy of Texas Arlington.  You can also use a concept map to help you.

• University of Texas Arlington Key Words Resource

• Concept Map

Don't forget, if you find that you are struggling, you can always change your topic and return to step two.

Begin a simple search using Google and news articles.  By conducting this background research, you can assess whether or not the topic will be of value to you for the assignment.  While you are conducting your background research, you should be considering the who, what, when, where, and why of your topic.  This process will help you to refine your search and lead you to a research question or thesis statement.

Your research question/thesis statement should be focused, clear, and challenging.  Avoid generalizations.  Use the resources below to help you:

• • Thesis Statement How To Powerpoint

  • Purdue OWL Thesis Statements

  • Bowdoin College Thesis Statements

  • University of Wisconsin Madison Thesis Statements

  • Bowdoin College How to Ask Good Questions

  • Bowdoin College What Makes a Question Good? 

Now that you have a refined topic and research question or thesis statement, you are now ready to start conducting your research.  The Canton High School Library Media Center has a variety of books, magazines, journals, and databases for your use in this part of the research process. You can use the Destiny Catalog to search for books by topic.  See our list of Academic Search Engines and Databases to find online journal articles and peer-reviewed sources.  Stop by the LMC to see the different types of magazines we offer - there is a running list in our quarterly newsletter as well.

Ok, so I know what we offer at this school, but how do I even start with all of these resources?  Good question.

Follow this process to conduct your research:

• First, consider the resources that are already at your fingertips.  Have you studied anything about your topic in class so far this year?  Use your notes, textbooks, audio/visuals, articles, or handouts from class.

• Next, browse the resources available through this website (Destiny Catalog for books, Academic Search Engines/Databases for online articles and peer-reviewed sources) and identify which resources will work best for you and your particular topic.  You should be using a variety of search engines, not just one.

• Make sure you refine your search terms to ensure only relevant material is coming up in your search results.  Sometimes you may want to change it up to make your results broader or narrower.  Use unique, specific terms to narrow your search.  You may even want to use the thesaurus to find synonyms for your key words in case your search isn't yielding the results you'd like.  You should also be using the Advanced Search Settings.

• Other search tips:

  • Use quotation marks to search for specific phrases.  This will pull up articles that include the exact phrase in the quotation marks.

  • Remove common words like a, the, and, as, unless these words are in the title of something you're looking for.  If there are common words in a title, then put the title in quotation marks when you search.

• With each and every resource, it is crucial you consider the credibility of the source.  Use these resources to help you.

• READ! READ! READ!  Be sure you thoroughly read through the sources you have gathered.  Read carefully, don't skim. 

• Be sure to keep track of your information while reading in a notebook or Google Doc.  This part of the process is crucial so you can stay organized.  It is also a great idea to cite as you go so you are not scrambling at the end locating sources to cite them.  Below are some tips for notetaking:

  • Paraphrase/summarize your information.  Be sure to avoid copying word for word (that is plagiarism and has severe consequences.  See the our policy here).

  • Take detailed notes documenting key words and phrases.

  • Use graphic organizers to help track your information.

    • Resource Organizer

    • Research Notes Organizer

    • Free Note Taking Organizer 1

    • Free Note Taking Organizer 2

    • Free Note Taking Organizer 3

    • Cornell Note Taking Strategy Explained

• Cite your sources as you go so you are not overwhelmed at the end.  Be sure to check which citation guide you should be following.  You can find more information regarding citations here.

Now you're ready to begin writing your research paper.  See information regarding the writing process here.