Research, Writing and Citing: Help with Your Paper from Start to Finish 

Use this guide to learn more about:

• Creating a thesis statement
• Finding and evaluating source material
• Academic writing
  
• Citation management
• Citation styles

Here's a Glossary of Research Terms to get you started.

Academic papers promote critical thinking. You must do one or more of the following:

• Interpret - What does the information mean?
  
• Evaluate - Does this source contain relevant information? Is it reliable?
  
• Analyse - What does the data show?
  
• Define - What is the issue? What do I have to say about it? How should I say it?
  
• Compare - What are the other perspectives and interpretations?
  
• Propose a problem - What doesn't work? What are the solutions?
  
• Discuss - Why am I making this argument? Where might this discussion go?

Click the General Resources tab for resources about writing academic research papers,

1) Topic / Thesis

• Is able be supported by research found in appropriate sources
• Can be focused into a statement with a point of view, neither too broadly nor narrowly defined
• Main idea or point of view of the topic is clearly expressed

2) Research Strategy (Find and Evaluate Sources)

• Appropriate sources have been consulted
  • To determine which sources to consult, analyse the following:
    • Scope or content (comprehensive and objective, not superficial or biased)
    • Intended audience (written for an informed audience, not the general public)
    • Authority (written by someone with expertise and presented objectively)
    • Timeliness (historical perspective will require different material than will recent theories)
• There is evidence of adequate coverage
• The paper reflects a systematic search of the literature of the field

3) Point of View

• Evaluation and analysis of information is balanced, accurate and fair
• Your point of view is clear and objective
• Differing points of view are acknowledged

4) Documention / Citations

• Material taken from others is acknowledged and credit is given for both direct and indirect quotations
• Quotations are accurate, neither taken out of context nor distorted
• Citations are consistent with the chosen format

5) Writing Skills

• Strong organization of information in the paper
• Proof read to improve upon and correct any mistakes in usage, punctuation and style
  • Look for:
    • A solid introduction
    • Clearly stated thesis
    • Convincing support of the thesis statement in the body of the paper
    • Logical conclusion
    • Transitions between paragraphs
    • Well-constructed sentences with variations on length and style to maintain the reader's interest

Adapted from Basic College Research, by Patricia Berge and Carol Lee Saffioti.

Jenna Walsh

The library offers various classes throughout the year. They teach you the best ways to use the library and its many services. In short sessions, you can learn how to:

• Navigate and use the library
• Find the articles you need (and save a lot of time!)
• Use citation management tools such as RefWorks
• Much, much more

The information is always invaluable, and the instruction is usually free!

Watch this feed for upcoming classes.

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