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Step 1:
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Reference Desk (413) 774-1509 |
- Begin your research early--research takes time
- Understand the requirements of the research paper--know your instructor's expectations
- How long should the paper be?
- When is it due?
- What is the research goal?
- What sources should you use?
- What citation style should you use?
- Be prepared by carrying notecards at all times or use NoodleBib (citation management tool) to create notecards
- Take efficient notes
- Be diligent about citing your sources--record identifying information in the correct format on a separate, numbered notecard the first time you touch the source
- In NoodleBib, record the exact quotation even when you are paraphrasing
Go back to: U.S. History Research Guide
Resources
- How to Write a Term Paper (Thomson-Gale)(includes notecards)
- Writing a Research Paper (Purdue Online Writing Lab)
- Research and Writing for High School Students (Internet Public Library)
- Planning and Writing a Research Paper (U. of Wisconsin-Madison)
- Library Online Basic Orientation (LOBO)(NC State)
- The Seven Steps of the Research Process (Cornell U.)