Listed below are 4 steps to getting started on a research paper. For more information about each step, view the START Tutorial, which provides you with a brief orientation to conducting research using resources available at MSOE.
Step 1: Define your topic
Spend some time thinking about what you would like to research. One way to come up with research ideas is by brainstorming.
- Talk to professors who may have insight on possible fields of research.
- Browse through technical publications and journals to find ideas.
Make sure that the topic you pick is covered in the scientific literature. If it is not widely covered, you will have a hard time finding the required amount of sources for your paper.
Step 2: Develop your search strategy
Before you jump into searching databases, conduct some background information about the topic you are researching. Come up with a list of words and phrases that relate to your topic which you can use when searching the databases. Not all authors will use the same terminology to describe a procedure, material or event, so you will need to broaden your search terms to cover all the bases.
Step 3: Evaluate your information sources
After gathering information from the databases, Internet and other publications, take time to evaluate where the information came from. Investigate the authors of the articles to make sure they are reputable sources. Also, you should determine how reputable the sources are. Scholarly journals such as "Biomedical Materials and Engineering" are more authoritative than popular magazines such as "Time" or "Newsweek."
Step 4: Prepare your bibliography
Create your works cited list, or bibliography, as you conduct your research. This will save you time, because there won't be an extra step to do at the end of you paper, and it will also ensure that you don't leave out references. BE students are usually required to follow MSOE's Undergraduate Documentation and Style Guide.
Step 5: Write your paper
Writing a paper is a challenging task for most people. However, at MSOE, there are people who can help.
The MSOE Learning Resource Center provides peer tutoring in composition. Peer tutors will help you to choose a topic, generate ideas, identify your research strategies, and organize your thesis, topic sentences, and supporting details into a well-developed paper. Through structured sessions, you will proofread rough drafts and learn correct grammar and other style errors in your writing. To find out more, check out the Learning Resource Center home page or contact the LRC directly at 277-7274.
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