Here are some things to consider when choosing a topic:

  • Choose a topic that is interesting to you. It may seem obvious, but this will make the research process more fun and engaging for you.
  • Consider the scope of your topic. If your topic is too broad it may be hard to find information that is focused and relevant; if your topic is too narrow it may be hard to find any information at all.

Here’s one strategy for developing a research topic once you have a broad topic in mind: Use CREDO Reference.

Credo Reference is a database you can use as a  background research tool because it covers many subject areas and it has several features that are extremely useful. 

  • Articles from the reference books identify the key concepts of the topic being discussed. These key concepts are useful in topic development, identifying keywords or synonyms to use as you search for articles in other library databases.
  • The Mind Map is a visualization of related topics to your search term. Clicking on another term puts that idea in the center and creates a new mind map. This feature can help you focus or narrow your topic.
     Mind Maps are not available for all topics.
  • Your search also provides you with links to articles on your topic in a few other library databases like JSTOR. It also shows books available in the library on the topic
  • The built-in convert text to speech feature allows you to listen online or download a MP3 file of an article. Select the audio icon to “Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker.”

1. Select a topic. 

Have absolutely no idea what topic to select? Try this Essay Topic Generator, it can also help you narrow your topic!

2. Create a research question that will focus your research and paper and will tie to a correlation or impact. See the example below. 

Topic: Criminals
Research Question: Does a person’s childhood correlate with future criminal behavior?

3. In Depth Topic Research

Find four credible sources related to your topic of choice. Below are a few suggested databases.

Source Reference: CREDO

Username:tzhs  Password:dutchmen

InfoBase

Username: tzhs Password: dutchmen

CQResearcher

Username: TappanZee Password: TappanZee

Gale

Username: empirelink

4. Evaluate your Sources. Use the C.R.A.A.P. (Currency, Relevancy, Accuracy, Authority, Purpose) Worksheet. As you begin to search and increase your knowledge base, you will inevitably information about your topic.  As you research and gather information, you find that the correlation to your topic gains strength.  Remember to read laterally. When using an internet browser such as Google, implement the Better Searches, Better Results. When looking for various perspectives on a a specific topic it is extremely important to pull articles from multiple sites on the same day, ensuring that they were from the same news cycle.

5. Save and annotate your articles. When reading your articles, it is important to remember key information.  Annotate the articles, so finding the facts and important information is a bit easier when you begin the writing process. Watch the video below to gain a better understanding of what it means to annotate.

6. Works Cited Page. According to MLA style, you must have a Works Cited page at the end of your research paper. All entries in the Works Cited page must correspond to the works cited in your main text. A Works Cited page is an alphabetized list of your sources using the Modern Language Association (MLA) format.  A Works Cited page serves to show the reader where the information is from giving the source credit for the information and ideas.  TIP: Collect the citations from your C.R.A.A.P.  

Here is a link to a list of Citation Generators. Please NOTE: If you are using a database, please take your  MLA8 citation from within that database.

7. Outlining your information. Now is time to organize your research in a coherent manner. Using your annotated articles, fill in the outline. Make sure to note which article information is from.  Use the author’s last name or first word or two from the Works Cited page as your “signal” word. You will need to use this in your paper as well. 

Don’t understand In-Text Citations? Watch the short video below. 

8. Drafting your essay or paper. Write all of your findings in a research style paper. A research outline will also help you write in a clear, organized manner without missing anything. Follow the outline information given to you by your ELA teacher. Draft your essay in google docs.  Be sure to include Internal Citations. The works cited should be the last page.

9. Self editing and revising. Use the worksheet to edit and revise your paper.

10. Make the necessary changes. Submit your paper to turnitin.com 

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