How to Find Important Facts When Writing a Research Paper

Fact-finding is a major part of composing a research paper.

Writing a research paper may seem like a daunting task, mainly because of the time required in finding relevant facts and information for your topic. We live in a world of information overload; facts are certainly not hard to find. The key is searching in an organized fashion. Narrow your focus to determine which facts are most applicable for your research purposes.

Instructions

1. Begin research at the library. Public libraries have not lost their importance, even in the age of information databases. Technology actually makes library visits more efficient. Search periodicals indexes to find magazine and journal resources. The advantage of going to a library is the staff, who can assist you in your search for the most credible sources.

2. Utilize the Internet after you find facts in print at the library. The wealth of information on the World Wide Web has revolutionized the research process. Enter keywords or phrases in search engines. Broaden or narrow your search by making phrases longer or by limiting keywords. AResearchGuide.com has a page with all major search engines conveniently listed.

3. Next, find facts in online books, dictionaries, and almanacs. The Purdue Owl Writing Center has links to literary search engines where you can find authors' works in their entirety or famous quotes on a multitude of subjects. Use reputable and long-respected publishers like Rand-McNally and World Book Encyclopedia, which have free online versions.

4. Finally, conduct personal research if it's conducive to your topic. Use facts from interviews or surveys that you administer to establish a pattern or formulate a hypothesis. Be sure to include a disclaimer that your research is not scientifically based.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not automatically assume that the facts presented on every website are true. Sites that end in the suffixes .org and .gov are usually credible.

References

• Purdue Owl: Online Books
• Cornell University LIbrary: Research Strategies
• Science Buddies: Finding Information For Reseach Paper
• A Research Guide: Search Engines
• World Book: Online Reference Center

Resources

• Pratt Library: Using Periodicals In Research
• A Research Guide: Steps For Writing A Paper
• Purdue Owl: Internet References