Step 1
Use the "Where Do I Begin?" box to find some background information on your topic. This will help you to become more familiar with your topic. The resources listed in this section will not only provide you with a foundation on your topic but also include many other sources of information supporting various sides of the issue.
Background information includes:
Background databases may include popular and peer-reviewed articles also.
Step 2
When you have found enough information in the databases in Step 1, move on to the resources in the "Find Current Articles" section.
Use keywords to find articles:
Try Different Search Terms: Remember to think of different ways to search for your topic, e.g. Capital Punishment or Death Penalty; Global Warming or Climate Change. Rephrase your search if you don't find many results on your subject.
Step 3
When you need supporting numbers or data, use the resources in the "Data and Statistics" section.
Step 4
You can find many useful supporting materials by searching the Web. Go to the "Useful Websites" section to find some reputable sites.
Step 5
After you have collected or created the citation for each of your sources, you should make sure that your Works Cited page is formatted correctly. Use the "Formatting Your Works Cited Page" section to help you with this. See also the MLA tab above which provides examples and instructions on how to format citations.
A Reference librarian can:
Search our Frequently Asked Questions and Answers, book a research appointment, ask a question, chat, send comments.
After choosing a topic, you must form an argumentative thesis statement that takes a position on a particular issue. A thesis is a statement of the writer’s purpose, in which the paper is expected to assert, explain, support, or defend. Your thesis statement for the research paper must be stated clearly at the end of the introductory paragraph.
Focus your topic with a specific research question
Formulating a specific research question provides you with a way of evaluating the evidence and helps you decide which information will be useful. For example, if your topic is marijuana legalization, you may form a research question such as “Should states legalize marijuana?” You can then form a thesis statement such as “States should legalize marijuana due to economic benefits such as greater tax revenue, increased job opportunities and saving money through reduced incarcerations.”
Another possible thesis on marijuana legalization is “States should not legalize marijuana due to the negative public health risks and reduced productivity among students and workers."
Since a research paper is evidence based, you must use your research sources to provide support for your thesis. Sources must be used and cited throughout the entire paper.
HOT TIP: Open a blank document and type Works Cited at the top of the page. Every time you find a source that you think you may use to support your research paper, copy the citation and paste it into your document. This will save you a great deal of time and effort later.
An effective way of beginning your research is to find an overview of your topic. Getting this background information helps you to understand what the topic is about, the history, issues, laws and regulations, as well as public opinion. You can find overview articles on various social issues, as well as pro and con essays, and current news and magazine coverage of those topics.
Hot Tip: The overview articles are usually listed under the broader topic. Start there, then narrow your search down to the specific aspect that you are interested in writing about. For example, if you are researching some aspect of marijuana legalization, start out by looking at the article on Legalization of Marijuana. You will find many pro and con issues related to that topic in the related links.
Find more articles using the databases below. Think of the most important words that describe what you are researching and the kind of information you need. Link your keywords with AND to narrow your subject.
Hot Tip: Use the menus on the left side to further narrow your search. Choose an appropriate date range (e.g. the last 5 years). Do not use any articles older than 10 years for your research paper.
You can help support your argument or demonstrate the scope of your issue with numbers and data, also known as statistics. Use the below sources to search for data on your topic.
