Since the professor assigned the project, it is important to know exactly what his or her requirements are. You want to avoid going too far into your research only to find out that you are not meeting the professor’s requirements.
Before getting started, clarify the following items with your professor or with the project hand-out:
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What type of research is to be performed?
Your professor may have specific research resources he or she wants included in the paper. For example, the professor may want you to include articles from technical journals. -
What are the length and detail requirements for your paper?
Your professor may have a specified length for the paper. The professor may also want a certain level of content detail included in the paper. Consider these issues before you start since they will affect the scope of your topic and research. -
Does the professor require a presentation?
In addition to submitting the final report, many assignments that are to be completed during the 10 weeks of the quarter require that a presentation be given at the end of the quarter. Keep this in mind as you are choosing your topic and performing research. Start thinking of ideas for the presentation and the different visual aids to use that you find later in your research. -
When is the assignment due?
The due date will affect the entire timetable for the paper. You need to keep this date in mind when considering a topic and performing the research. For example, if you have 10 weeks to write the paper, you should plan to do more extensive research than you would for a paper that has a two-week due date. In addition, you may be able to consult other libraries for your research information if you have 10 weeks to complete the assignment. -
What documentation style does the professor want you to follow?
Whether it is MLA, APA, CBE, or some other documentation style, most professors do have a preference as to which style is used in your paper. If the professor does not otherwise identify what style is preferred, he or she will most likely assume that you know a proper style. This is an important issue to address early, as you should continuously gather documentation information while you are progressing through your research. It is time consuming to have to go back later. For help with documenting sources, consult the Documentation and Style Guide by Gary Shimek and David Tietyen. -
What are the miscellaneous requirements?
Your professor may have other requirements not listed above. Make sure you know these requirements before proceeding.