How to Research a

Paper
Presentation by Lauren Johnson
The Research Paper
Writing research papers
is essential aspect of
academics.
You will continue to do
research throughout your
academic and
professional careers.
Becoming an
experienced researcher
and writer takes practice.
Dont get discouraged!
There are few individuals
for whom this process
comes naturally.
Research: What it is
A research paper is the result
of research, critical thinking,
source evaluation,
organization, and writing.
It is a living thing. As you
explore sources, your paper
changes and develops.
Primary and secondary
sources are the heart of a
research paper.
Research papers serve to
further the fields in which
theyre written and provide
you the opportunity to
increase your knowledge!
Research: What it is
Primary source: a document or physical object written
or created during the time under study. These sources
were present during an experience or time period.
Primary sources include:
Original Documents: Diaries, speeches, letters, interviews,
official records
Creative Works: Poetry, plays, novels, music, art
Relics or Artifacts: Pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings

Secondary source: interprets and analyzes primary
sources. These sources were not created during the
time under study. Secondary sources include:
Publications: Textbooks, magazine articles, histories,
criticisms, commentaries, encyclopedias

Research: What it is not
Not a summary of a topic
Not a copy of another writers work
Goal not to inform the reader of what others
have to say about a topic
Goal is to thoughtfully use the work of others
and your primary and secondary sources to
offer a unique perspective on the issue

Two Types of Research
Papers
Argumentative
Consists of an intro in which
you clearly introduce
Topic
Your argument (often
referred to as as the thesis
statement)
Your argument should be
debatable or controversial
Goal: To persuade your
readers to agree with your
argument
You support your argument
throughout the paper using
primary and secondary
sources

Analytical
Begins with you asking a
research question
Though topic may be debatable
and controversial, you are not
trying to persuade the reader
that you are right nor are you
negating alternative
interpretations
Goal: To offer a new, critical
perspective of primary and
secondary sources
You support your interpretation
throughout the paper using
primary and secondary sources
Your position papers will be argumentative research papers.
Thinking about Your
Audience
Audience: The people reading your
paper
Your Audience:
Your teachers
Fellow delegates and delegations
The Dais
Questions to ask yourself:
Who is most likely to take interest in
my research?
What about my topic interests them?
If the audience is not interested in my
topic, what can I say or do to create
interest?
Does my audience agree with what I
have to say?
If not what counter-arguments should I
be prepared to answer?
Beginning your Research
Ask yourself some questions:
What kind of information are you looking for?
Do you want facts? Opinions? News reports?
Research studies? Personal reflections? History?
Where would be a likely place to look?
Which sources are likely to be most useful to
you? Libraries? The Internet? Academic
periodicals? Newspapers? Government records?
How much information do you need?
How many sources of information are you looking
for?

Tips for Effective Research
SCAN the information for key words or phrases. DO NOT
try and read everything - it's too much.
Underline, highlight, or take notes on the IMPORTANT
information.
LOOK UP new vocabulary that you don't recognize.
CITE your sources! Save websites and articles so you can
find them again later.
THINK!!! While reading, CONNECT ideas.
WORK HARD! The more you research now, the better you
will understand your country and the issue.

BEWARE OF CERTAIN
SITES
You should know by now that WIKIPEDIA and
.com sites are unreliable sources.
Stick to .edu, .org, or .gov sites, which come
from reliable educational institutions,
organizations, or the government.

Search Engines and
Sources
Search Engines: Search engines are NOT
sources. They are websites where you can ask
questions to find sources (Google, for instance,
is not a source!)
Good search engine: http://scholar.google.com/
Good sources to research your country:
CIA World Factbook
Interactive World Map with statistics
World Bank - Economic Data for countries
The WHO Website - All 6 world regions
U.S. State Department website
UN Member States "On the Record

Sources
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/
01/
www.princeton.edu/~refdesk/primary2.html
www.ulm.edu/~lowe/plagiarism.ppt
http://globalclassrooms.weebly.com/