Have a Research Plan
 

Once you have a topic choice that you believe satisfies our three criteria, begin the labor-intensive work to research your topic:

1.  Use the library! Resources are plentiful and not only electronic. Librarians are there to help. The Writing Center can help, too. Use them!

2.  Research tools  

• Start with major terms before refining search using minor terms.

• Identify synonyms or similar key terms as you construct thesis

• Use top-down research method:

1) Use web search engines, reference materials, topics websites to identify key terms

2) Then check out books on subject (MNPals), use subject-specific encyclopedias,  and search periodical databases (EBSCO, ProQuest)

3) Zero in on specific articles and begin assessing author, source, dates to judge reliability (see #8 below)

3. Pick an organizing method:

• computer printouts collected in a folder

• spiral-bound or three-hole-punch notebook

• index cards

• larger folder that collects materials from several of the types listed above, organized with tabs

4.  Ask "scope" questions:

• Is my thesis too broad or too narrow?

• How much do I know and how much do I need to know?

• Who is my audience for this thesis, what do they know, and what do they need to know?

5.  Consider these categories of research:

• books (single or multiple authors, collections of essays, MNPals libraries, CQ Researcher)

• reference materials (encyclopedias, Gale's Opposing Viewpoints, almanacs)

• internet (Google or Google Scholar searches, for example)

• periodicals (magazines, journals, newspapers--and their databases, EBSCO and ProQuest)

• government publications and other databases (see our library's main page)

6. Record (or print) all bibliographic information on any source you take notes from. Any source you do not document cannot be used!

7.  Use technology to collect all kinds of data, including graphic and pictorial. Again, if you print or save graphical data, be sure to include bibliographical information with it.

8. Use websites on our assignment page for guidelines and more information about any documentation and research issues. Ask me or our librarians if you are unsure. The web can be slippery, so take a few moments to verify any website you encounter using these guidelines.

Final notes:

There are no rigid requirements for your research on the final paper. You are not required to produce a Works Cited page with any minimum or maximum number of entries: that’s up to you. However, a skimpy Works Cited page may indicate an unsubstantiated argument and may not be convincing; too many sources, and you may not have done enough of your own thinking.

I recommend that you vary your resources. You should have about three or four different kinds of resource material so that your audience trusts your research. All internet entries means you probably have less authoritative evidence, and that undercuts an argument as well. Our resource list assignment will help you build a diverse collection of supporting data (but you ultimately choose what you borrow).

Part of what you're trying to accomplish in research is verifying that the topic you have chosen is "significant"--that means you can find reliable sources on both sides of your issue. Be sure you satisfy that requirement before getting too deep into the research.

You may use online citation format programs such as EasyBib and Citation Machine. Many of the online sources, such as EBSCO and ProQuest, provide a citation button to help you format a source. Be sure to double-check the format to be sure it conforms to MLA standards. You may also want to consult a handbook. Purdue's Writing Center has a comprehensive citation and documentation website as well. Browse it for any source.