Research Guidelines

Steps in the Process of Writing a Research Paper

The steps below may be useful to guide the process of writing a research paper. They can be adapted for a research presentation.

Select a topic.
List questions you want to have answered about your topic. Include any subtopics or key words that you might explore.
Develop an overview of the topic. Explore your sources to see if your topic is well-chosen and your questions are appropriate. Create a working thesis statement to guide your writing. Take notes in your own words, and keep track of your sources.
Develop a research strategy. You might want to create an outline, graphic organizer, or some other system to help you stay organized
Begin your research. Read a variety of sources, conduct interviews, view videos, and use an other forms of research that make sense for your topic.Take careful notes. You should accurately restate the information in your own words, using words and phrases- not complete sentences, unless you are using a direct quotation. Be sure keep track of your sources including all of the information on the charts below.
Evaluate your sources. Be sure that you are using the recent and accurate information. Consider whether the information you find supports or disproves your thesis.
Revise your thesis statement as necessary based on your research notes. The thesis is the main idea or focus of your entire report.
Write a rough draft including:
- An introductory paragraph that gets your reader’s attention, introduces your topic, and presents your thesis statement.
- A middle section of several paragraphs that explores significant facts from your research and ideas. Analyze and evaluate the information you have discovered.
- A final section that summarizes your findings, reminds the reader of the thesis of the report, and ends with a final thought about the topic.
Remember to cite, within your report, the sources of any ideas you quote or paraphrase.
List your sources on a works cited page.
Read your draft to make sure it is complete. Check your research notes and keep track of anything you need to revise.
Edit your paper for spelling, grammar, usage, and correct use of MLA guidelines.
Create a final copy of your research paper including a title page (if you are using one), your report, and your works cited page.
Evaluate the process. Reflect and self-assess.

Alternative Research Projects

We hope you are passionate about the research you do for your Extended Learning Opportunity, and your final product should reflect your learning style and strengths. In addition to writing a formal research paper, we also accept alternate research projects as long as they demonstrate the breadth and depth of your learning.

Recording Your Sources

While you are conducting your research, keep track of sources you use so that you can correctly cite them.

Whenever you find a new source, add it to your list. You’ll need the following:

BOOK	ANTHOLOGY	MAGAZINE	VHS/DVD	TV/RADIO
Author’s name Title Publisher City, ST Copyright date Medium: Print	Author’s name Title of article Title of book Edition Name of editor Publisher City, ST Copyright date Page numbers Medium: Print	Author’s name Article title Magazine title Date published Page numbers Medium: Print	Title Director Original release date Format Distributor Date Medium: Videocassette or DVD	Title of episode Title of program Network Local station City, ST Date of broadcast Medium: Television or Radio

NEWSPAPER	INTERNET	PICTURE	INTERVIEW	SUBSCRIPTION DATABASE
Author’s name Article title Newspaper title City, ST Date published Edition Section Page numbers Medium: Print	Author’s name (if listed) Page title Site title Date posted, copyright date, or date of last update (if listed) Site sponsor Medium: Web Date visited Internet address	Photographer or Artist’s name (if listed) Title of picture (if listed) Site title Date posted, copyright date, or date of last update (if listed) Site sponsor Date visited Medium: Print or Web Internet address	Name of person interviewed Title (if applicable) Interviewer Date of interview If broadcast: Broadcast station City, ST Medium: Print	Author’s name Article title Magazine title Date published Date posted, copyright date, or date of last update (if listed) Site sponsor Access Point Medium: Web Date visited Page address

Works Cited Examples in Correct MLA Format

Type of Source	Only this information appears on your Works Cited page, in alphabetical order by the first word in the source.
Books:	Author’s last name, first name. Title. City, ST: Publisher, Date. Print.
Magazines, Newspapers:	Author’s last name, first name. “Article Title.” Magazine Date (day month year): Page number(s). Print.
Encyclopedia:	Author’s last name, first name. “Entry heading or title.” Title of Encyclopedia/Dictionary. Edition number (if any). Publication year. Print
Non-familiar Reference Book:	Author’s last name, first name. “Title of Article.” Title of Reference Book. Editor. Edition Number. City, ST: Publisher, Year. Print.
Anthology or Collection:	Author’s last name, first name. “Title of Article.” Title of Book. Edition. Name of Editor. City, ST: Publisher, Year. Page Numbers. Print.
Internet:	Author’s last name, first name. “Title of Item or Image.” Date of publication. Sponsor/Publishing Information. Web. Retrieved date (web address(
Video/DVD:	Title of Video/DVD. Director. Original release date. Distributor, Date. Video/DVD.
Personal Interview:	Last name of person interviewed, first name. Personal interview by (interviewer’s name). Date of interview (day month year).
Broadcast Interview:	Last name of person interviewed, first name. “Title”. Personal interview with (interviewer’s name). Name of Program. Broadcast station. City, State. Date of interview (day month year). Medium. *
Television or Radio Program:	“Title of Episode”. Title of Program. Network. Local station, City, ST: Date of broadcast (day month year). Medium. *
Picture:	Artist or photographer’s last name, first name. “Title of Picture.” Date of publication. Sponsor/Publishing Information. Medium. * Retrieved date (web address).