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So you need to write a research paper? When you write a research paper, you first familiarize yourself with what the experts know about your topic and then compare their thoughts with your own. The final paper should be a unique and relevant integration of the information you have gathered and your own thoughts on the topic. Choose a topic that interests you in some way. List key words to help you search and gather information. "The ability to develop a good research topic is an important skill. Sometimes instructors will assign a specific topic, usually they will ask you to select a topic that interests you." (Weber State University Stewart Library) Read your sources, take notes and document your sources. Search the shelves at the CCHS Library Media Center by using the Destiny icon on any computer at CCHS to look for items in our collection. "Thousands of magazines, newspapers, and reference books are available 24/7 through the online resources of DISCUS - South Carolina's Virtual Library." "Google Scholar provides a search of scholarly literature across many disciplines and sources, including theses, books, abstracts and articles." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia is a multilingual, Web-based, free-content encyclopedia project. Wikipedia is written collaboratively by volunteers from all around the world; anyone can edit it. The value of Wikipedia is in leading students to citable sources, it is not itself an appropriate source for citation. WHY SHOULD I CITE MY SOURCES? If you don’t respect intellectual property rights then you are committing plagiarism. Plagiarism is taking words and ideas from another and calling it your own. Plagiarism is stealing. Plagiarism is cheating. You can copy word for word if you use quotation marks " " and give the person's name and where they said it. For more information about plagiarism: Plagiarism.org Owl Materials - Avoiding Plagiarism Indiana Univiersity - Plagiarism UNC - Plagiarism "Citation Machine is an interactive web tool designed to assist high school, college, and university students, their teachers, and independent researchers in their effort to respect other people's intellectual properties." O.P.E.N Citation Maker - Secondary (based on MLA style) EasyBib "The fastest way to create accurate, comprehensive works cited lists." MLA Update 2009 These changes go into effect April 2009 with the release of MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (7th edition). General paper formatting (margins, headings, etc.) and in-text citations will remain the same, but all Works Cited style entries will be different from the 6th edition guidelines. Organize your ideas and write a first draft including a bibliography. Revise your first draft and proofread. Look for links below to help you with steps 4 and 5. Visit the Owl at Purdue for help with the research paper writing process. The Simple Four is An Information Problem-Solving Model designed by Martha Alewine, South Carolina Department of Education's Consultant for School Libraries. The Big6 is an information and technology literacy model and curriculum, implemented in thousands of schools – K through higher education. Some people call the Big6 an information problem-solving strategy because with the Big6, students are able to handle any problem, assignment, decision or task. Searching for information about specific authors: For print sources, search our catalog by clicking on the Destiny Icon on any computer in the school to look for books in the library media center by or about your author. For another print source use the Literary Criticism books located in the library reference section. Try searching these recommended databases in DISCUS: Books and Authors, Book Review Index Online Plus, and Literature Resources. If you have an elusive author, try using this Author Biographies pathfinder provided by the Internet Public Library. SparkNotes: "Study guides and discussion forums offered on various academic subjects. Literature section includes brief analyses of characters, themes and plots." CliffsNotes "Get free help with homework and tests on literature, Shakespeare, science, math, and history." |