fbpx

10 Steps to Writing a Good Research Paper

10 Steps to Writing a Good Research PaperTo write a good research paper, you must be specific about your topic, know what you want to say, and say it effectively. Following these ten steps will help you write a good research paper.

Step 1. Choose your topic

When choosing a topic, select one in which you are interested and for which there is enough information. You will have difficulty completing your paper if your topic is too broad. “The Effects of Pollution” is too broad because there are so many effects of pollution. “The Effects of Pollution on Geese in the Northeast Section of Duluth, Minnesota” is too narrow. You are not likely to find much information that is this specific. “The Effects of Pollution in Yosemite National Park” is just about right as a topic.

Step 2. Locate information

Use information from a variety of reference sources. These sources include encyclopaedias, almanacs, scholarly journals, books, magazines, and newspapers. Find these sources in print form, on CD-ROMS, and on the Internet.

Step 3. Prepare bibliography cards

Prepare bibliography cards to document the sources of information you use when writing your paper. Your library will have style manuals to illustrate how to prepare bibliography cards for various sources of information.

Step 4. Prepare note cards

Use note cards to record notes from each source you use when writing your paper. Number your note cards to keep track of them.

Step 5. Prepare an outline

Write an outline for your paper by organizing your notes from the note cards into topics, subtopics, details, and sub-details. Use an organisation such as:

I. (topic)

   A. (subtopic)

      1. (detail)

         a. (sub-detail)

Step 6. Write a rough draft

Use your note cards and outline to write a rough draft of your paper. As you write your draft, use numbered footnotes to credit sources from which you take quotations or major ideas.

Step 7. Revise your rough draft

Make necessary changes to ensure your ideas are clearly expressed and your writing has accurate spelling and grammar.

Step 8. Prepare your bibliography

At the end of your paper, provide a list of all the sources you used to gather information for the paper. Your bibliography cards will provide this information. List your sources alphabetically by the first word on each bibliography card.

Step 9. Prepare a title page and table of contents

The title page is the first page of the paper. It should include the title of your paper, your name, and the date on which the paper is due. The table of contents is the second page. It should list the main topics, important subtopics, and the page on which each is introduced in your paper.

Step 10. Final checklist

Before handing in your paper, be sure you can answer “Yes” to each of the following questions:

Did I include a title page?
Did I include a table of contents?
Did I number all pages correctly?
Did I provide footnotes for quotations and major sources of information?
Did I include a bibliography?
Did I keep a second copy for my files?

Following these ten steps will help you write a good research paper.

Source: www.how-to-study.com

Edublox can help 

Edublox is an educational method that integrates cognitive training, reading or maths tutoring, and solid learning principles. Edublox assists students in becoming life-long learners and empowers them to realise their highest educational goals. While not a quick fix, Edublox programmes can permanently alleviate the symptoms of learning difficulties and disabilities like dyslexia. Edublox also offers Studiblox, a study methods course.

Contact your closest Edublox branch for more information.

Share Button
June 13, 2023

Leave a Reply

avatar
  Subscribe  
Notify of
Skip to toolbar