Research Papers5 keys to success

1. Understanding your Assignment• Most professors give a handout that includes the

details of your assignment. This is your go-to for understanding what is expected.• If they don’t give a handout, be prepared to take notes

about the requirements.• Review the requirements and ask as soon as possible

if you don’t understand something.• Follow the requirements outlined by your instructor.

2. Making a Plan• Don’t wait until the last minute to plan your research

paper—start as soon as you get the assignment.• Set your own deadlines.• Use a calendar to so you can get a good idea how

much time you need.

3. Choosing a Topic • If your professor does not assign a topic, pick one that

is interesting to you.• Choose something that is relevant for the class.• Do not use a paper you’ve written for another class.• Have a second topic in mind in case your professor

does not approve the first one.

4. Formatting Search Terms • When you are doing a search in the library databases

it is important to think about search terms. • Typically you do not want to type an entire sentence.Example topic: The effects of television on women’s

self image Search terms: Effects, self image, women, and televisionExample Topic: Benefits of a Vegan Diet for young

childrenSearch terms: Vegan diet, children, benefits, nutrition. Use connectors: AND, OR, and NOT (AND between terms narrows results, OR expands them, NOT excludes results. Use it carefully!)

5. Save your Research! • Choose a way to save your research! • Use RefWorks to save searches and articles for later.

(Login with your TRACKS to access, then create a RefWorks account.

Questions?• Ask a librarian (email, phone, in-person, chat)• http://lib.fit.edu/services/askalibrarian.php