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Chapter 7
Locating, Mining, and Citing Sour
ces
When writing a research paper, students will use the skills they have already learned, such as summary, analysis,
critique, and synthesis. They will go beyond the readings in the text, however, to add breadth and depth to their
papers. Depending on the topic, students might use library research, online research, field research (interviews,
surveys, etc.), or a combination of the three. This chapter guides students through the process of developing a
research question that can lead to a thesis, as discussed in Chapter 3, and provides research resources and an
updated guide to handling digital material.
The chapter includes updated MLA and APA resources as well as updates that reflect the ever-changing world
of digital and Internet-based research strategies.
STUDENT WEB RESOURCES
MLA’SFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MLA S
TYLE
The Modern Language Association provides this guide to common questions about using the MLA style. This
information has been updated for the third edition of the MLA Style Manual (2009).
APA
D
OCUMENTATION S
TYLE
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Issue Proposal Assignment
Before beginning the issue proposal, formulate a research question. Your issue must be current (within the last
An issue proposal consists of three parts:
1. The first paragraph introduces the issue you will be handling in your research paper. It should be written in
2. The second paragraph explains why this issue is compelling to you. You need to write this in the first person.
Why did you pick this issue? Do you have some experience in it either directly or indirectly? Is it related
somehow to the field you are entering? Remember to choose an issue that interests you. (You will be
3. The third paragraph explains your research plan: what you think you need to learn to answer your research
THE RESEARCH AND WRITING PROCESS — 1of 2
2. Develop a research question. Formulate an important question that you would like to answer through your
3. Conduct preliminary research. To help you narrow your topic further and to find out what general
information has been written on your topic, look at some general sources on your topic. Consult
4. Conduct focused research. Consult books, electronic databases, general and specialized periodicals,
5. Develop a working thesis. Your question may have changed slightly in the process of conducting
6. Develop a working bibliography. Keep a working bibliography (either paper or electronic) of your
7. Evaluate sources. Attempt to determine the veracity and reliability of your sources (particularly Internet
8. Take notes from sources. Paraphrase and summarize important information and ideas from your
9. Arrange your notes according to your outline. Examine your working thesis and write down the
10. Write your draft. Write the preliminary draft of your paper, working from your notes, according to your
outline. Your goal in drafting your paper is to support your thesis by clearly and logically presenting your
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THE RESEARCH AND WRITING PROCESS — 2 of 2
11. Avoid plagiarism. Take care to cite all quoted, paraphrased, and summarized source material, making sure
that your own wording and sentence structure differ from those of your sources. The same rules regarding
12. Cite sources. Use in-text citations and a “Works Cited” or “References” list, according to the
conventions of the discipline (or your teacher’s instructions).
13. Revise your draft. Use transitional words and phrases to ensure coherence, and check for style. Make sure