Step 1 : Select a General Topic

Research Paper
A research paper is the culmination and final product of an involved
process of research, critical thinking, source evaluation, organization,
and composition.
Project Research
A project research is more complicated than getting the answers from
the book or writing out of your own head. It requires you to keep track
of a lot of different things, do some original thinking, look for examples
to support your ideas and to put it all together in a neat package to
present to an audience (your teacher, your class and maybe some
guests)

Basic Steps in the Research Process

A.Your teacher
assigns one to you:
your chosen career or
a career related to it.

B.Your teacher gives

you some guidelines
for choosing one.

C. Your teacher
gives you complete
freedom to choose
whatever topic you
want.

Step 2: Key Words

What is it?

It is making a list of the words that will help you find the information you
need about your research topic. They are called key words because they can
unlock the doors that will lead you to useful information.

When will I use

them?

You will use them when searching through books (using indexes) and
through electronic sources (using search screens in online reference sources
or search tools such as search engines or directories.

Why do I need to If you have key words, youll find the kind of information you want fester. I
do it?
you dont have good key words, you can waste a lot of time not finding the
information you need.
What are good
Good key words are the important words or short phrases that specifically
key words?
describe your topic and closely related topics. They are not long sentences.
When do I list
them?

Start as soon as you have a general topic. You will be able to add more key
words to your list as you focus and learn more about your topic.

How do I list them?

1.
2.
3.
4.

First, write one or two sentences about your topic.

Next, underline all of the specific words that describe you topic.
Make a separate list of these specific words.
Add to your list any other words that mean the same thing (synonyms) or are related
terms.
5. Think of more words or phrases that describe the larger topic, of which your topic
is a part. Add those to the list.
6. Think of more words or phrases that are subtopics of your topic which might help
you find you useful information. Add those to the list.
Step 3: Getting an Overview
1. Websites:
Not always correct. Compare and contrast to the other sources asess the
information provided
2. Encyclopaedia: They organize information into subtopics and do not give so many details.
Available in print and online. Some information is very long, so dont print the entire thing;
print what you need.
3. Short books/ books: Written for younger readers, provides many visual aids, can be read
easily and provide a good foundation for older readers.
Step 4: Make a source card
Source cards: place to identify all the used sources of information (index card)
Step 5: Begin to focus the topic.
There are different ways to focus your topic using different METHODS.
Encyclopaedia Method
Use an encyclopaedia article
to provide you with the
information you need to focus
your topic.
-If you cannot find anything
get some help finding another
overview source
- If you find an article too
short combine it with
another topic
-If is more than 5 pages
focus the topic down to a
narrower one.

Subtopic Method
Lets you decide on a certain
general subtopic word by
which to focus your topic.

Question Method
You narrow your topic by
focusing on a question you
have about the topic.

How do I do the SM
1.Focusing Chronologically
2.Focusing Geographically
3.Focusing Biographically
4.Focusing on an Event
5.Focusing Technologically

Interpretive Questions:
When the answer may require
you to interpret factual
information and gives you own
opinion.
How do I do it?
You will need to have a fairly
good overview of your topic
already to develop a question.

Step 6: Write a Statement Purpose

Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Is a sentence that you write, which states, in
some detail, what you want to learn about in
your research project.
The statement guides you as you works so that
you will read and take notes only on whats
needed for your project.
Effective SOP should be:
-Specific and precise
-Concise
-Clear
-Goal- oriented
Difference
Gives the paper a focus: scope and direction

Foreshadows the development of the argument

Thesis Statement
Is a proposition that offers a concise solution to
the issue being addressed.
It states the claim of the argument presented in
a paper, and sometimes a brief summary of all
explained reasons in the paper.
It is typically appears near the end of the
introductory paragraph of a paper and usually is
one sentence, though it may occur as more than
one.

Gives the writers declaration of the purpose of

the paper
Makes an assertion directly answering the
question the paper asks.
Offers a provable claim that reasonable people
could argue.
Provides a map of the arrangement of ideas
presented in the essay.

Example
SOP
This paper will examine the ecological damage
caused by Katrina on the Gulf Coast. The focus
will be on the economic, political and social
relationships affected by the environmental
problems.

TS
The ecological damage caused by Katrina on
the Gulf Coast was caused by the political and
social environment of the region.

Step 7: Brainstorm Research Question

It is a process of thinking up and writing down a set of questions that you want to answer about the
research topic you have selected.
You will be making two lists of questions. One for factual questions and one for interpretive
questions.
Factual Questions:

Interpretive Questions:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Who?
What?
When?
Where?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Hypothetical
Prediction
Solution
Comparison or Analogy
Judgment.

Step 8: Create Subtopic Heading

This step will help you organize your paper, write an outline and take notes.
Step 9: Add any new questions you can think of under the subtopic heading.
You are now on your way to making an outline. Use the Common Subtopic Heading list to give you
ideas for categories. It can also help you to develop questions!
Step 10: Repeat step 2, listing more keywords on your focused topic.
Step 11: Make a list of possible sources that can answer your questions.
Think about what kind of information you need.
These could include any of the following, or others:
Books
Magazine articles
Television shows
Expert people
Sites visits
Electronic databases
Sound recording video Newspaper article
Maps or atlases
recordings

Radio shows
Websites

Step 12: Find the sources in the library, on the computer, etc. and make a source card for
each.