1. Tuesday Tech Talks Skeen Library Presents Today’s Topic: Presented by:
Weekly drop-in sessions to improve information literacy.
Today’s Topic:
Research Paper Writing Basics
Presented by:
Liz Lyons

2. What is a research paper?
Plan
Act
Collect
Reflect
Report
Revise
It’s the result of this iterative process.
Content Source: Lab, P. O. W. (2017). Genre and the Research Paper. Retrieved from

3. It is not…
Skimming
Summarizing
Filling in with opinion
Searching Wikipedia for references
Reading and re-reading the syllabus to make sure you read the due date right only to see that you did and you’re toast.
This is you
Content Source: Lab, P. O. W. (2017). Genre and the Research Paper. Retrieved from
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4. Good research cannot be rushed.
Because…
Why?
Content Source: Lab, P. O. W. (2017). Genre and the Research Paper. Retrieved from
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5. Step 1: Start

6. Step 2: Start
NOW
Especially if this is a group project, because trust is never tested like that of student who has to write one quarter of a research paper. 

7. Step 3: Plan What is your topic? vibration testing
Can you turn that into a research question?
How does vibration testing influence structural design?

8. Step 3: Act
Where can you find credible resources to support your research question?

9. NMT’s Writing & Oral Presentation Center
Step 3: Act
Find out what resources are on campus to help.
NMT’s Writing & Oral Presentation Center
Office for Student Learning (OSL)

10. Step 3: Collect Right About Now Start with a literature review.
Find all major studies and research done on the topic.
If your topic is too broad you will figure that out…
Right
About
Now
Lab, P. O. W. (2017). Genre and the Research Paper. Retrieved from
Steffen W. Schmidt, P. D. (2003). Research Paper Basic Guidelines. Retrieved from
Try “Feminism in 17th Century English Literature” instead of “17th Century English Literature”

11. Step 3: Collect Find all major studies done on the topic.
Begin citing sources that are:
Interesting
Useful
Peer Reviewed
Don’t forget tables, charts, and other visual resources!
Lab, P. O. W. (2017). Genre and the Research Paper. Retrieved from
Steffen W. Schmidt, P. D. (2003). Research Paper Basic Guidelines. Retrieved from
Peer Reviewed - a process by which a scholarly work (such as a paper or a research proposal) is checked by a group of experts in the same field to make sure it meets the necessary standards before it is published or accepted.

12. Step 4: Reflect
Examine this work and begin a comparative and analytical outline.
Content Source: Lab, P. O. W. (2017). Genre and the Research Paper. Retrieved from
Content Source: Steffen W. Schmidt, P. D. (2003). Research Paper Basic Guidelines. Retrieved from
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13. Step 4: Reflect Differences in graduate level work:
Examine this work and begin a comparative and analytical outline.
Differences in graduate level work:
Size
Depth of comparative research
Depth of analysis
The ability to reach new or original conclusions
Content Source: Lab, P. O. W. (2017). Genre and the Research Paper. Retrieved from
Content Source: Steffen W. Schmidt, P. D. (2003). Research Paper Basic Guidelines. Retrieved from
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14. Step 4: Reflect Are you ready for the bad news?
The news that confirms that good research is like…
Content Source: Lab, P. O. W. (2017). Genre and the Research Paper. Retrieved from
Content Source: Steffen W. Schmidt, P. D. (2003). Research Paper Basic Guidelines. Retrieved from
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You are not done, you have to do this over and over.
Sometimes you have to start over.

15. WRITE IT DOWN Step 5: Report
Content Source: Lab, P. O. W. (2017). Genre and the Research Paper. Retrieved from
Content Source: Steffen W. Schmidt, P. D. (2003). Research Paper Basic Guidelines. Retrieved from
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16. Step 5: Report In this order: Body Conclusion Introduction
Sources/References
Content Source: Lab, P. O. W. (2017). Genre and the Research Paper. Retrieved from
Content Source: Steffen W. Schmidt, P. D. (2003). Research Paper Basic Guidelines. Retrieved from
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17. Step 5: Report Other considerations: Table of Contents Formatting
Tables and Charts
Writing Style Guide
Content Source: Lab, P. O. W. (2017). Genre and the Research Paper. Retrieved from
Content Source: Steffen W. Schmidt, P. D. (2003). Research Paper Basic Guidelines. Retrieved from
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18. Step 5: Revise Tips Read it out loud Have someone else read it
Give credit
Content Source: Lab, P. O. W. (2017). Genre and the Research Paper. Retrieved from
Content Source: Steffen W. Schmidt, P. D. (2003). Research Paper Basic Guidelines. Retrieved from
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19. Step 6: Turn it in
Then go listen to the new Kesha album, you deserve it.
Content Source: Lab, P. O. W. (2017). Genre and the Research Paper. Retrieved from
Content Source: Steffen W. Schmidt, P. D. (2003). Research Paper Basic Guidelines. Retrieved from
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20. Tuesday Tech Talks Next Week! Skeen Library Presents Today’s Topic:
Weekly drop-in sessions to improve information literacy.
Today’s Topic:
Endnote Tutorial (Beginner)
Presented by:
Liz Lyons