Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step1
Clarify the nature of the research paper. For instance, does your professor want you to analyze a problem or defend a position?
Step2
Define the steps of the project, setting deadlines for each step and noting other requirements, such as a preliminary outline or a rough draft. See 6 Meet Deadlines and 2 Set Priorities.
Step3
Make a list of topic headers or key words relating to your subject. As you conduct your research, assign each piece of information a key word. When you organize these topics later, they'll form a basis for your outline.
Step4
Use index cards for your notes or develop a computerized system. Check out software from Onfolio.com or Thomson ISI ResearchSoft (risinc.com), which helps you organize text. Document all sources.
Step5
Create an initial outline using the topic headers you've gathered. Review with your professor and make necessary adjustments.
Step6
Block out 30 minutes, an hour, three hours or whatever you need to work on the paper daily. Choose a strategy that works for you, maybe in terms of hours and minutes worked, or perhaps for problems solved or pages written.
Step7
Write a first draft of your paper and have it critiqued by someone with solid writing experience. Some professors are happy to review first drafts.
Step8
Find out the required format for your final product. Many professors are particular about what paper stock you use, how you set margins, and the footnotes and bibliography format.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 You can organize all your information on the note cards, but if some of them don't help on the research paper, don't use it. Instead find new information.