Step 1: Choose a Topic

• State your topic as a question.
• Identify the main concepts or keywords.
  Example:  What are the effects of television violence on children?
  Keywords=television, violence, children
• Use keywords when searching the library catalog, magazine/newspaper databases or a search engine.

Step 2: Search for Information

• Ask a librarian.  
• Search the Library Catalog for books.
• Find magazine or newspaper articles.

Step 3: Organize the Information

• Read the information.
• Take notes.
• Prepare an outline.
• Weed out irrelevant information.
• Avoid plagiarism. 

Helpful web site:

• How Do I Avoid Plagiarism?
  Information about how to avoid using other people's words and ideas.

Step 4: Evaluate the Information

"5 W's": Who, What, When, Where, Why:

• WHO--Is the author of the information? Is he qualified to write on the topic?
• WHAT--Is the information accurate and complete? Is the information relevant to your needs?
• WHEN--Is the information current?  Is the information timely and updated regularly?
• WHERE-Is the information reliable?  Is there someone to check the information?
• WHY-Is the information biased or a personal opinion?  Is anything being advertised or sold?

Evaluating web pages:

• Thinking Critically About World Wide Web Sources (UCLA)
• Evaluating Web Pages: Techniques to Apply & Questions to Ask (UC Berkeley)

Step 5: Write the Paper

• Write a rough draft.
• Revise.
• Proofread.

Step 6: Site Sources Used

Check out these books and web sites for instructions:

Books at the library:

• MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers 6^th edition
  Location: Reference Desk 808.02G
• APA Publication Manual 5th edition
  Location:  Reference Desk 808.02 P
• Chicago Manual of Style 15th edition
  Location:  Reference 808.02 U
• Manual for Writers (Turbian) 6th edition
  Location: Reference Desk 808.02 T

Helpful web sites:

• MLA Style Guide (University of Georgia Libraries)
  Examples of citations.
   
• Examples of Legal Citations (Cornell Law School)
  Cite judicial opinions, statutes, court rules and more.
   
• Guide to Citing Government Documents
  Citing document printed by the Government Printing Office.

Need more help?

• A+ Research and Writing for College Students
  Get more help on researching and writing papers.
   
• Research 101 (University of Washington Libraries)
  Learn how to search for and evaluate information.