Research and Style Manual

"Where Do I Start?"

The research process and the writing process are connected. Research is of little value unless you effectively communicate what you have learned. The same skills that you use to write an expository paper are used to develop the research paper or project. Developing a clear and focused thesis, sketching an outline, drafting, revising, peer reviewing, and editing all are steps with which you are already familiar.

The steps that you should take are as follows:

1. read about a broad topic with "peripheral vision," looking for subtopics and important terms
2. identify a focused topic or question you are interested in investigating
3. gather a working source list
4. gather information and evaluate the sources of information
5. take notes on note cards
6. develop a clear and focused thesis
7. identify strong supporting points and rank them, making certain that the
8. research and logical reasoning support them
9. develop an outline or construct and complete a visual organizing tool
10. prepare a rough draft
11. add research documentation to the draft
12. revise the draft
13. have a peer review your work
14. revise the draft
15. edit the draft
16. prepare, proofread, and submit the final copy

Collecting Sources

Gather a large list of books, articles, and other sources of information on your topic. Even if you are not sure the source will have what you want, keep accurate information on EVERY source in case you do need it later. If you are using Web pages, you might want to print out the first page of the document, making sure the URL is printed on the page. Locate your sources through the online library catalog, in print and online reference works, databases and journal indexes, other bibliographies, and sources suggested by your teacher or library media specialist.

One of the most useful resources we have available outside of your school library is the online databases offered by the state library system. Using your library card number and any computer, you can access huge amounts of information by visiting this page: http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/mlin_s_remote. If you visit your local public library to conduct your research on one of their CLAMS computers, you do not need your library card number.

Go to Source Cards