1. Developing Strong Content and Conducting Research
The Research Paper
Developing Strong Content and Conducting Research

2. Content A research paper . . .
is NOT like a book report, in which you simply summarize what you’ve read.
includes research but goes a step further.
builds on what others have written.
is an ongoing conversation. Each new scholar who writes about a particular topic references what others have already written and adds something new to the discussion. Now it’s your turn, so use your sources to support your own argument.

3. Content Here are a few tips: Ask yourself a focused research question.
If you tell yourself, “I’m writing a paper about Autism Spectrum Disorder,” you’re setting yourself up to write a book report. Instead, ask yourself a “how” or “why” question.
Think critically about the sources you’re reading.
As you read, regularly ask yourself questions like: “How does this apply to my focus?”; “How does this article’s ideas compare with that article’s ideas?”
Write a thesis statement.
Think of this as a one-sentence answer to your research question.

4. Research Types of Resources: Scholarly, peer-reviewed periodicals
Non-peer-reviewed periodicals
Non-periodical websites
Books

5. Research Where to Search for Scholarly Sources:
Library databases like InfoTrac and ProQuest (Ask for help at the library if you’re not familiar with using databases.)
Google Scholar

6. Reliable Web Articles:
Research
If conducting a general Google search, how do you know which web articles to trust?
Reliable Web Articles:
URLs ending in .org, .gov, or .edu are more reliable than those ending in .com or .net.
Make sure that you can identify an author (person or organization) and that he/she/it is credentialed.
A trustworthy web article will normally cite its sources and include a list of references, just as you are expected to do in your own paper.

7. Research Study Your Sources! Print the articles out.
Read them all carefully. If you don’t understand something, you shouldn’t use it.
Highlight sentences and phrases that you think you may refer to in your paper.
As you read, try to make connections. Jot down your own thoughts on the margins.
Tip: Copy highlighted sentences onto index cards. Include the author’s name and the page number on the back.