Appendix C
ENG/102 Version 4 / 1

Associate LevelMaterial

Appendix C

Stages of the Research Process

In this course, you follow the same basic writing process you have used in other writing courses: prewriting, writing, rewriting, and proofreading. For a review of the writing process, see Associate Level Writing Style Handbook at the Center for Writing Excellence at (Note. You must be logged into eCampus in order to access the file).

Research writing, however, requires higher-level critical-thinking skills and research that is more detailed. Using a systematic process to write a research paper is important because your research and writing will be stronger, more convincing, and better organized. As you write the research paper, adhere to the following guidelines.

Step 1: Beginning the Project

Think About the Assignment

It is important that you understand the assignment requirements before you begin. Start by reviewing the details for the research paper. Print the requirements and then write down your questions, comments, or ideas in the margins. Consider these questions as well:

  • Are you able to select your own topic, or has the instructor specified the topic for you?
  • What kinds of sources do you need? How many sources are you expected to use?
  • Where willyou search for sources? Does your instructor require the use of library databases or books?
  • Who can help you? If you do not know how to use a library, you may need to talk to a librarian. If you are required to do an interview, for example, you would want to locate an appropriate interview subject.

You must also think about your schedule. You probably lead a very busy life, so you need to set up a timeline or research plan for each of the steps in the writing process and for each of the assignments in this course. Because conducting research is very time consuming, you must plan ahead.

Analyze the Audience and the Purpose

Before you select a topic, think carefully about your audience and the purpose of your research. Consider the following questions:

  • Why would someone want to read your research paper? What compelling information would they find?
  • What canyou assume your audience already knows about your topic? On the other hand, what information may be too difficult for the audience to understand?
  • What type of evidence or support do you need to convince or persuade your audience?

Along with analyzing your audience, consider your purpose for writing the paper. Are you trying to persuade, convince, or entertain? In this course, you will be trying to convince your audience to accept your viewpoint. Consider the counterarguments your audience might present. How might you address these points?

Select a Topic

Although some instructors allow you to select your own topics for papers, many assign topics. In this course, you may choose your own topic from an approved list and then narrow the topic for use in your research paper.

As you begin to think about a topic for your research paper, use the following criteria:

  • The topic should be controversial, supportable, and sound. You do not want to choose a topic that is a simple observation or fact, such as how the war in Iraq started. Instead, you must choose an arguable topic; for example, why going to war in Iraq was an inadvisable decision, how similar situations may be prevented in the future, or how a viable decision to invade Iraq turned sour. You can defend and support these arguments with evidence from your research.
  • The topic should be fresh and relevant. Even though a topic is controversial, it may not be unique or current. The topic of abortion, for example, is controversial, but it is also a topic that has been argued numerous times. If you choose to write about this kind of topic, you must bring a fresh approach to the argument while supplying current research to support it. You might argue, for example, that the pro-choice and pro-life groups in the abortion debate have much in common—each group focuses on the rights of only one person in the debate (either the woman or the fetus), and each group is unwilling to compromise its position (abortion available at any time and under any circumstances versus no abortions at all).
  • The topic should not be too narrow or too broad. You want a topic that provides enough research to discuss thoroughly in your paper. On the other hand, you do not want a topic that is so broad you have too many sources to review, which might cause you to lose focus.

If you want to choose a topic such as health insurance for an online search, for example, just the words health insurance produce multitudes of sources because so many branches exist within that topic. If you want to discuss health insurance and reform, arguing that the government needs to assume more responsibility to help change the current system, then that topic would be more specific and would help narrow your focus.

  • The topic needs to have enough research to support it. Sometimes, a topic might be too narrow, which may result in insufficient information. If you are interested in roller coasters, for example, you may want to write on the psychology of why people choose to ride or not ride roller coasters—although you may have a hard time finding enough subject matter and research on which to base your writing. You would need to broaden the topic area enough to include other aspects of roller coasters or thrill-seeking activities. It is important to have adequate research to support your thesis.

Ask Questions

After you consider the advice about selecting a research topic, pose questions to help determine a topic for your paper. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • What subject would I like to learn more about?
  • What subject generates passion in me?
  • What would I like to convince people about?
  • When I watch the news, what types of issues really make me angry or enthusiastic?
  • How would I like to influence or change the world?

You will invest a considerable amount of time on your topic, so it is important to think critically about these questions before making your choice.

Create a Research Plan

Once you decide on a topic, begin with a plan for your research project. A research plan is similar to a business proposal, a plan to give you a sense of direction and help you get started. A research plan may include the following information:

  • Topic
  • Research question
  • Background information or a review of literature to provide the preliminary grounds for your research
  • Expert or authoritative sources for your topic
  • Types of materials you expect to review for your research paper
  • Procedures you will follow to conduct your research
  • Anticipated difficulties in supporting your side of the issue

Your paper will not simply provide information to answer your researchquestion; it will use evidence, examples, or facts to persuade your reader to accept your point of view on the subject.

Develop a Research Question

To write a successful research paper, you must start with an interesting research question. You will answer the research question in your paper, which will be transformed and developed into your thesis statement. A research question creates a reason and a direction for research.

Avoid research questions that have a simple answer or a yes or no answer. Controversial questions that contain answers with various points of view make stronger research questions. For example, a strong research question might be the following:

Why do some colleges use unethical means to recruit athletes?

There are several different answers to this question, and a simple yes or no answer would not apply.

Formulate a Viable Argument

The thesis statement is one sentence—normally found at the end of your introduction—that explains in 25 words or fewer exactly what you plan to argue in the paper. In the beginning of the research process, the thesis usually assumes the form of a research question. If your topic is exercise, for example, your argument may start with the following question:

Why do people need to exercise?

As you begin to research, this question becomes a statement that serves as the foundation of your argument:

Americans need to exercise more often.

To this statement, add the why:

Americans need to exercise more often because it improves overall well-being, provides more energy, and aids in weight loss.

Once you formulate your thesis, you must then complete more research to support the arguments that exercising strengthens the heart and allows humans to live longer; that exercising provides more energy and helps fight depression; and that exercising burns fat and aids in weight loss.

Step 2: Conducting Research and Utilizing Sources

Create a List of What You Need

Before you begin to gather research, create a list of what you need. Consider the following:

  • Number of sources needed
  • Types of sources needed: Internet, journal articles, newspaper, books, and so forth
  • Types of information needed: What types of support or evidence do you need to find?
  • Tools to organize your research: If you plan to store your research on the computer, create folders that are easily accessible. If you want to print sources, create several folders to organize different topics.
  • A place to keep track of your sources: Keep a working list of your sources. Decide whether you want to use physical note cards or just a Microsoft® Word document on the computer.

Keep in mind that you also need to find information to address counterarguments. You must explain the other side of your argument and then counter it with supporting evidence.

Gather Sources

Once you know what types of sources you need, begin looking for those sources. If you cannot find enough sources to support your topic, you may need to consider broadening your topic or changing it.

As you start to scan sources, evaluate each one to make sure it is credible.

You may also consider gathering some primary sources. Secondary sources are scholarly works such as articles, journals, and newspapers. Primary sources are sources such as interviews, original documents (letters, diaries, and so forth), speeches, and newspaper articles and books that were written during the time period in question.

Use Sources

As you read the sources, write down notes, thoughts, or questions that arise. At the same time, determine what information to paraphrase, summarize, and quote. You will learn more about taking notes later in this course.

Keep Track of Sources

As you write down your paraphrases, summaries, and quotes, keep track of what information is coming from which sources. Keep a working bibliography that records all your source information in proper APA format.

Step 3: Organizing and Writing the Paper

Revise Your Thesis

After you gather all of your research, you may find your position on the topic has changed. You might decide to argue the other side of your topic, or perhaps you want to maintain the same point of view but alter the direction of your paper somewhat.

Consider the following example: Suppose you chose the topic of problems stemming from the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports. Originally, you planned to discuss the problem in all of professional sports, but you discovered there is too much information. As a result, you may want to narrow your topic and refine your thesis by stating how colleges should test student athletes for performance-enhancing drugs.

Write an Outline

After gathering all your research, you may feel overwhelmed. You have ample research and many personal thoughts on the topic, but you may find that your materials are unorganized. The best way to organize your information is to create a formal outline. An outline provides you with a visual picture of the structure and organization of your paper. Your outline needs to be as detailed as possible; otherwise, when you begin to draft your paper, you may find yourself straying from your argument. If you find that you do not have enough details or information for some topics, you need togather more research and support.

Your outline must also be organized in the most logical order to convince thereader of your point of view. You will learn more about formal outlineslater in this course.

Write the Draft

After you complete your outline, use it as a blueprint for your first draft. As you write your draft, avoid stopping to correct errors. You must, however, include APA-formatted in-text citations foryour sources. Otherwise, you may lose track of what information came from which source.

Step 4: Revising the Paper

Self-Revise and Edit

After you complete the rough draft, you must read your paper several times. Each time you read the draft, correct grammatical or spelling errors, rewrite sentences, and reorganize information as needed. Double-check your reference list and anything else that must adhere to APA guidelines. Revisit this step numerous times until you find no further errors.

Submit Papers to the Center for Writing Excellence

Whether or not an instructor requires it, you should always submit your papers to the Center for Writing Excellence (CWE). The reviewing service at the CWE will return your paper with grammatical and formatting errors marked. Although many of these comments are helpful, keep in mind the machine does not always mark items correctly and may also miss errors. Review each mark carefully and then decide whether or not to change your writing. If you do not understand a comment referring to grammar, you may research the information on the Internet.

Consider Peer Feedback

During this step, someone else peer edits your paper. Although critical feedback might be difficult to accept, it is important to consider constructive feedback carefully. Often, others are able to see problems you are unaware of, so take advantage of this step to improve your final product.

UseInstructor Feedback

Feedback from your instructor will help as well. You should strongly consider accepting most, if not all, of your instructor’s advice on your paper. Your instructor has expertise in the area of writing, grammar, and research, so it is important to use his or her feedback.

Proofread

Proofreading is the last step in the revision process. Once you receive your peer review and make the necessary changes and corrections, go through your paper one last time to check for any other errors. If you do not see any additional errors or opportunities to improve the paper, it is ready to submit.

Wrap-Up

The research process may seem daunting at first, but following the above steps in the research process may help you build your paper one step at a time.

If you select a topic that interests you and your readers, you may find yourself enjoying the process as you become something of an expert on your subject. Once you begin to research, it may be difficult to stop.