What is a Research Paper?
A research paper is a long written composition about a chosen topic done within the whole semester and intended for submission at the end of the term. The time frame given for its completion makes people call it a term paper.
Characteristics of a Good College Research Paper
1. It must be truthful.
2.It must be objective.
3. It must be timely and relevant.
4. It must be clear.
5. it must be complete.
6. It must be neat and presentable.
The Purpose of a Research Paper
1. To free yourself, to a certain extent, from the domination or strong influence of a single textbook or of the teacher’s lone viewpoint or spoon feeding.
2. To learn how to work independently.
3. To learn how to work scientifically and systematically.
4. To improve your thinking skills by allowing top – level thinking needed in research work.
5. To have an in depth knowledge of a certain topic.
6. To be familiar with the basic tools of research and the various techniques of gathering data as well as the ways of presenting the results.
7. To improve your writing skill.
Steps in Writing the Research Paper
(Steps 1 – 4 only)
1. Choosing the topic.
You can choose a topic that is related to your course, favorite author, profession or occupation. There are a number of subjects you can choose from, such as: Literature, Sociology, Music, Psychology, Anthropology, Arts, Engineering, Business, etc.. In making up your mind about your research topic, keep in mind these four primary principles in choosing a topic.
Interest in the subject
Availability of materials
Limitations placed on the subject
Timeliness and relevance of the subject.
Here is a list of topics for a college research paper which should be avoided.
Controversial topics - These topics depend greatly on the writer’s opinion which may tend to be biased or prejudicial. Topics like these cannot be supported by facts.
Highly technical subjects - For a beginner, researching on topics that need advanced study is a very difficult task.
Hard to investigate subjects – A topic is hard to investigate if there are no available reading materials about it, and if these materials are not up to date.
Too broad subjects – Topics that are too broad will prevent you from giving a concentrated or an in – depth analysis of the subject matter of the paper.
Too narrow subjects – These are so limited that an extensive searching about these is not necessary.
Vague subjects – Choosing topics like these will prevent you from having a clear focus of your paper.
2. Checking the reference sources for your topic in the library.
In this step, you will not only determine the availability of materials but also the timeliness of the book plus qualifications or authority of the writers. The publication of a book or an article is not an automatic assurance of the excellence of the reading material.
3. Narrowing down the topic.
This step requires breaking down a big topic into a smaller one to give you more time to discuss the subject matter thoroughly. Keep in mind that the significance of your paper depends on the completeness of the ideas or facts presented in the paper. If the topic is too broad, it will demand more time to complete.
Example:
a. General Subject: READING
b. Narrowed: Developmental Reading
c. Narrowed further: Factors affecting developmental reading
d. Narrowed further: Intangible factors affecting developmental reading
4. Preparing the preliminary bibliography for the paper.
A preliminary bibliography is a list of the reading materials that you intend to read for the substance of the paper. It is called preliminary because it can be changed – increased or decreased – depending on the availability or appropriateness of the materials.
There are several well – known styles for writing the bibliographies. The Modern Language Association Style, APA or the American Psychological Association Style, and a lot more. It is important that all parts of the entry content, order, capitalization, punctuation and intention should be correct.
