Research Paper

Steps for Writing a Research Paper

The first step is to choose a topic of interest that you can research. Once you choose a topic, narrow your focus. This will make it easier to write your paper from start to finish.
Next, locate your sources. You can, of course, just Google your topic, but you will need to use journals, books, and other resources to complete your paper. The University of Minnesota Libraries site is a good place to start. A librarian can help you find specific search engines for material on your topic.
Organize the information you collect. Develop a system that works for you, such a storing resources in folders on your computer. Make sure to keep track of your sources. When you download something, note where and when you found it on the Internet. This information will be needed for your reference section. Make sure you backup your work in several different places so you don’t waste valuable time looking for material or rewriting your paper at the last minute.
Write an outline. This should include your topic and its significance, relevant background material, your thesis statement, and organizational ideas or plans.
Begin writing your introduction by presenting background information on your topic, describing the focus of your paper and your goal for the reader. Guide the reader through your paper by providing a description how you are presenting information.
Write the body of your paper using your outline as a guide. Your outline may change as you do your research; try to avoid getting sidetracked and stick to your outline as you write. Integrate your sources into the discussion of your topic and the points you want to make. Be sure to summarize, evaluate, and integrate your sources into your paper.
Write your conclusion. Summarize your arguments and explain the significance of your findings. If there are gaps in the research (if, for example, you could not find certain information about your topic or if all of the information available referred to only one aspect of a controversial topic), note this in your conclusion.
Take a break or a nap, re-read, edit, and proofread your work before submitting it.

Audience, Purpose, & Style

Audience

Colleagues in your field
Construction Management students, faculty and staff doing research
Industry groups - either broad or specialty groups
Public interest and promotion of a project, platform or position to a broad public audience
Competition submission review committees
Conference attendees

Purpose

To inform others in your field or with an interest in your topic about your research or projects in which you are involved
For academics, to meet tenure requirements
For publicity and self-promotion
To convey project attributes of interest to the intended audience
To promote a system, product, or process

Style

As required by professional and academic journals or publications
As required by conference guidelines

Examples

Improving Writing Skills of Construction Management Undergraduates: Developing Tools for Empirical Analysis of Writing to Create Writing-Enriched Construction Management Curriculum

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