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Tips When Doing Your Research

Researching printed material (i.e. books, journals, etc.) can be a daunting task. It can also be a great deal of work, and at times frustrating. But when done right your hard work can yield some great sources to make a wonderful essay. It is important to know that a great essay is often created from quality research. 

 

If your teacher has given you topic options, you might want to consider choosing the one that interests you the most. If you are still having difficulty choosing, talk to your teacher or school librarian and inquire about the level of difficulty of research for the different topics. You may start one topic and decide to change later. Whatever your decision do it sooner rather than later. 

 

Below are some tips to help you get started:

STEP ONE: DON'T PANIC! 

 

Take a big breath! Do not view research papers as this overwhelming task that cannot be overcome. It is best that you take advice from step three (baby steps). Some students make the mistake of wondering how they will go from nothing to writing a multiple-page, analytical essay. If you think in those terms, panic will set in. Instead, break down the research paper into multiple stages, giving yourself a deadline for each stage. Before you know it, you will have accomplished a great deal.

 

STEP TWO: START EARLY 

 

Many students regret starting late because most research material quickly flies off the shelves. Shelves...yes, I said shelves. Despite the ease of use and lure of the internet, you are expected to get written material. To avoid unnecessary stress, use your time wisely. For example, if you have four weeks to complete your essay follow the process below to maximise your potential.

 

  1. First week: Get your research and skim over your researched material

  2. Second week: Read your material in more depth and take notes.

  3. Third week: Write your essay. Writing six pages, for example, over a week is not too difficult.

  4. Fourth week: Do not look at your essay for a few days. Hide it. The reason for this is to come back to it with fresh eyes. Mistakes you overlooked before now become obvious and glaring.

 

STEP THREE: BABY STEPS

 

If researching is completely new to you, go talk to your school librarian or teacher to get you started. If you are not sure how to use the computer to access different sources, then talk to your librarians. They will be more than happy to help you out. 

 

STEP FOUR: CHOOSING YOUR MATERIAL

 

You may ask yourself, "how do I know what to get," or "how do I know if my research is any good?" I suggest you enter a library with the intention of collecting 10 different sources of material. For example, if your topic is on Word War One then collect around 10 or 12 sources. Do not worry! You will not be expected to use them all (although you can if you want to). That is a decision based on your own personal level of comfort. 

 

The reason for collecting a plethora of research material is based on efficiency and expediency. Make your research experience as quick and painless as possible. That last thing you want to do is return to the library two or three times unnecessarily.

 

STEP FIVE: SKIM OVER YOUR MATERIAL

 

SKIM, do not read. Again, the point here is to use your time efficiently. Once you have all the materials at home in front of you, skim through your material to determine the usability of each one. No one expects you to read books from cover to cover. You do not have the time for that. Instead, peruse through the material by first using the index or table of contents. Maybe all you need to do is read a couple of chapters in a book that is relevant to you. Tag certain pages if you come across something interesting or relevant for easy retrieval of information later. Make notes on a pad of paper. Beware! Do not attempt to do this all in one sitting. You will stress yourself out. Besides, doing it right requires time to reflect on your material and time to consider your approach, your angle, your thesis.

 

STEP SIX: WRITING YOUR ESSAY

 

Do not start writing your essay the night before it is due. While I understand that students will do this regardless, it is unwise. Rushing an essay rarely ever produces good work. Writing an essay is not like answering textbook questions; you need time to think about your thesis, your introduction, your supporting evidence, and of course, you need time to proofread your work. Believe it or not, the total time spent on all these details can easily add up to be more than your time spent writing it. 

 

"Writing a research paper is not like answering textbook questions"

 

The difference between a "C" paper and an "A" paper is often its refinement. You can have two completed essays side by side written on the same topic. Both have provided similar content and evidence, but one essay flows. Its sentences are clear and straightforward, and the paper is well-structured; the other, contains an inordinate number of grammar mistakes, unnecessary or unrelated paragraphs, or sentences that are so awkwardly written or wordy that the reader has to reread it to understand it. 

 

For example, you choose the sentence that sounds better:

 

"The FLQ were gaining large amounts of support from Quebec civilians at this point."

 

or 

 

"The support of the FLQ skyrocketed in Quebec."

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