Getting Started

You will be expected to follow a given timeline when assigned a research paper project. How much time you have to finish and submit your paper depends on the type of assignment and the length of the paper. A typical 10 to 20-page paper is usually due at the end of a one-semester course. If you are working on a 100+ page capstone or thesis, you may have two or more years before submission. Regardless of the timeline, here are a few things to remember:

• Your instructor will usually provide dates by which certain aspects of your paper or project (literature review, annotated bibliography, outline, etc.) must be completed. Adhere to those dates to avoid falling behind.
• Set aside enough regular time to write. This helps you avoid writing your paper at the last minute, leaving you more time for revisions.

Many social science courses require students to complete a research paper or project by the end of the semester. Choosing a topic is the first step in that process. While you don’t need to have a fully developed research question right away, starting with a general idea of the subject area or discipline your project will explore is important.

• Start broad, then narrow down your topic. At the beginning, your topic will likely be broad, and that’s okay. As you read and learn more, you’ll refine your focus and narrow your topic into a specific, manageable research question.

• Your research question should be of interest to you. Your curiosity about the topic helps you push through an often frustrating process. When you care about a topic, you think more creatively, engage more deeply, and write more effectively.

• Read the assignment prompt. Make sure your topic meets the requirements set by your instructor. These requirements are typically outlined in an assignment prompt that explains the objectives and goals of your paper. Be certain you read the prompt carefully to understand what you’re being asked to do with the assignment. If you still have questions, contact your instructor for more details.

• Pay attention to the scope of your topic. The scope of your topic plays a key role in finding relevant information. A broader topic may yield more search results, but not all will be useful. A narrower topic may result in fewer sources, but they’re more likely to be directly relevant. Aim for a balance. Your topic should be broad enough to find sufficient material, but focused enough to guide your research clearly.

After choosing a topic, finding resources for a literature review is usually the next step in the research process. Your literature review evaluates existing research on a particular topic and is an especially important part of writing a capstone, thesis, or dissertation.

A basic literature review summarizes relevant historical and current research, themes, or concepts published in academic articles, books, and other scholarly materials on your topic. A literature review also helps you identify gaps
in the existing literature. To ensure you know what type of literature is required for your literature review, consider the following questions:

• Are you searching for scholarly/peer-reviewed journals or books?
• What about non-scholarly resources, such as general magazines (Time, Newsweek, etc.) or newspapers?
• Does your research require raw data for analysis, or can you use statistics from other sources?

Depending on your discipline and academic level, different professors will have different assignment requirements. First-year students are sometimes given more leeway to use fewer scholarly sources than upper-level students, who are expected to rely primarily on peer-reviewed sources. Regardless, make sure to read your syllabus or assignment prompt for details. If in doubt, ask your instructor for clarification.

Help With Writing a Literature Review

Several high-quality resources can help you write a strong literature review. They provide guidance on how to structure and critically analyze the articles you read.

One of the best free, quality resources available online is Writing a Literature Review (Owl Purdue), produced by the Purdue University OWL (Online Writing Lab), which provides comprehensive writing resources, including guidance on writing a literature review. Also consider one of the following books that should be available in your library.

Your research methodology refers to the approach you take to conduct your research. This includes gathering and analyzing data and drawing conclusions. The most important factor in your methodology will be your chosen research design, which serves as the basis for any project or study.

Your research design should outline the research’s goals and objectives, the methods for data collection (e.g., surveys, interviews, observations, or analyzing other people's data), and the strategies for analysis. There are various research methods to choose from depending on the type of study you are conducting. The three most common are as follows:

• Quantitative Methods (number,  statistical analysis),
• Qualitative Methods (evaluating meanings, feelings, experiences, or perceptions),
• Mixed Methods (a combination of both quantitative and qualitative).

These are only a few methods; for a more comprehensive understanding of research methods, we recommend consulting the following resources for further explanations. Although specific to different universities, the general information provided will be very helpful:

• Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper: The Methodology (USC Libraries)
• Selecting Research Methods | Teaching + Learning Lab - MIT
• Research Methods--Quantitative, Qualitative, and More: Overview (UC Berkeley Libraries)

Taking a research methods or design course is one of the most effective ways to prepare for a research project. A research methods course teaches you how to find, organize, and study information in your field. You’ll learn about both qualitative methods (interviews or observations) and quantitative methods (surveys or data analysis), and how to choose the right approach for your research question.

A research methods course is required for many majors, especially in the social sciences. But even if not, taking one as an elective early in your college career is smart. That way, when it’s time to do your research, you’ll already know how to plan your project and can focus more on reading, writing, and improving your work.