Research Project Checklist

The following is a checklist of steps commonly suggested for writing a research paper or conducting a research project:
 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN RESEARCHING

• Choose a topic that interests you.
• Narrow the topic to a workable context.
• Establish a note-taking system and a check-off system for resources to be used.
• Write down key words.  Write a topic sentence.

FOR BOOK SOURCES:

• Look in encyclopedias or other reference materials for background information.
• Check the Sears List of Subject Headings books for subject headings and related terms.
• Do a subject or keyword search in the online catalog.  Write down call numbers, authors and titles.
• Find material's locations using the Call Number Codes/Areas posters.
• Use indexes and/or tables of contents in the books you find to determine suitability of materials.

FOR MAGAZINE SOURCES:

• Use periodical indexes, both general and special, hardcopy and online.  Limit the time frame for your research.  Keep track of which index titles and issues you've used.
• Write down all the information included in the citation (author, title, magazine, volume, pages, date).  Use the abbreviation guide in the front of the index to identify the complete magazine title.  Check the list of titles subscribed to by the library.
• Request magazines at the Circulation desk by the issue date.
• If the library does not own the magazine you need, check with the librarian to see if it can be obtained through Interlibrary Loan.

FOR BOOKS AND MAGAZINES:

• Write down all bibliographic information from the material.
• Take notes on the material.  Use quotation marks around quotes.  Use note cards.
• Copy sources from bibliographies that might be useful.  Check the online catalog to see if the library has the books.  If the library does not own the material, check with the librarian to see if we can get it through Interlibrary Loan.
• Arrange note cards in logical order.
• Write an outline of the paper.
• Write a rough draft.
• Wait.
• Revise your rough draft.
• Type the finished paper and bibliography using a style manual or information given by your instructor.

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