Writing the Research Paper

Steps to the Research Process

Home Page

Purpose

Choosing a Topic

Find Information

Refine a Topic

Develop a Search Strategy

Doing Library Research on the World Wide Web

NoteTaking

Evaluating Sources

Outlining

Writing the Paper

Citing Sources

 

Choosing a Topic

Choosing a topic is critical in determining the success of a research paper. Whether you are given the topic or need to come up with a topic yourself, make sure it is a topic that interests you. The task will be easier if you enjoy researching your topic. Perhaps your class has been reading and talking about an interesting topic. In choosing a topic, you might want to build on what you already know about a topic. The topic needs to be well thought out. If your topic is clearly defined, the research process will go smoothly. Once you have decided on a topic you would like to learn more about, you will need to research your topic.

 

 

This page is maintained by Judy Block, Distance Learning Librarian
last modified: June 20, 2002
url: www.emunix.emich.edu/~jblock/research/choosing.htm