WRITING RESEARCH PAPERS - TIPS

This outline is to give you very general tips on the writing of a research paper. It will direct you to other sources which will provide you with more in-depth help.

 


Why Do Research?

There are many reasons to do research, but perhaps the most important is this: to broaden and deepen what you know. Each person has his or her own interests, and what we cover in class is only part of the picture; research allows you to become a mini-expert in your own area.

Other reasons include:

  • Testing what you think you know. Just because someone told you something, how do you know it is true? Research helps you to find out.
  • Understanding the other side of an issue. If you are a passionate supporter of a particular viewpoint, you may never know what people who disagree with you really think, as often you don’t listen to their position. Research can force you to look at an issue from more than one perspective and give you a stronger appreciation for the complexity of it.
  • Opening your mind. Research into something that you view negatively can provide insights into that topic that you might otherwise never get.

You will notice that none of these reasons include passing the course. Of course that reason goes without saying – for now. But learning to do careful research will help you long after you finish this course!

 


How to do Research

Research begins with the asking of a question. You may wish that I will do that for you, but the best research always grows out of your own questioning. The journals, readings, and essays you complete in class are meant to spark curiosity, and out of these you may find material that you wish to investigate.

A Step-by-Step guide (borrowed from The New St Martin’s Handbook)


Analysing a research assignment

Before you begin research in response to a writing assignment, be sure you understand the requirements and limits of the assignment. Pay close attention to the exact wording of the assignment. If it asks you to choose your own topic, consider any requirements for purpose, scope of research, and length as you do so. Then try to map out a rough schedule for your research.


Identifying the purpose

Read through the assignment for cue words, such as describe, survey, analyze, explain, classify, compare, or contrast, that specify the pattern the essay is to follow. What do such words mean in this field? Keeping these meanings in mind as you begin researching will help you identify sources that are appropriate for your purpose.


Identifying the audience

Find our whether your assignment specifies an audience other than the instructor. Then answer the following questions:

•Who will be interested in the information you gather, and why?

•What do you know about their backgrounds?

•What will they want to know? What will they already know?

•What response do you want to elicit from them?

•What assumptions might they hold about the topic?

•What kinds of evidence will you need to present to convince them?

•What will your instructor expect in a strong essay on this topic?


Considering your rhetorical stance (your own attitude)

Think about your own attitude toward your topic, your stance. Are you just curious about it? Do you like it? dislike it? find it bewildering? What influences have shaped your stance?


Gauging the scope of your research

Next consider the kind of research you will need to do. Does the assignment specify how many or what kind(s) of meant sources you should use? Does it suggest any field research – interviewing, surveying, or observing? Will the Web be a good (or bad) place to look?


Noting the length of the essay

The amount of research and writing time you need for a five-page essay differs markedly from that for a fifteen-page essay. And you may need more rime if materials are not available or if you discover that you must do more research. The best plan is to begin work as soon as possible.


Scheduling a research project

Assignment date: __________________

 

TO DO

DONE

Analyze assignment; decide on primary purpose and audience; choose topic if necessary.

  

Arrange library time; decide on keywords, and develop research strategy.

  

Do background reading and online searches; narrow topic if necessary.

  

Decide on research question, tentative hypothesis.

  

Start working bibliography; track down sources in the library and online.

  

Develop working thesis and rough outline.

  

If necessary, conduct interviews, make observations, or distribute and collect questionnaires.

  

Read and evaluate sources; take notes.

  

Draft explicit thesis and outline.

  

Prepare first draft.

  

Obtain and evaluate critical responses.

  

Do more research if necessary.

  

Revise draft; prepare list of works cited.

  

Edit revised draft; use spell checker if available.

  

Prepare final draft.

  

Do final proofreading.

  

 

Good sources of help:

English Studies Language Resources Centre, F8

  • Computing resources
  • Assistance in the writing of research papers
  • Diagnostic services - identification of specific problems in the writing of papers
  • Corrective exercises - when problems are identified, certain exercises are suggested to help

Note: the LRC will not write your essays for you!!! They are there to help you write them better.

The New St Martin’s Handbook (required text for ENG 119 & 120)

The Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL)

http://owl.english.purdue.edu

  • An indispensible resource! It provides workshops, interactive tutorials, resource information and so on. If you are not online, this site is worth your investing in internet services. (You can use the College of The Bahamas’ services for a fee of $50 per semester.)