Steps in Doing a Library Research

STEPS IN DOING LIBRARY RESEARCH

1ST: Choose a general topic
2nd: Read a little about it to know what specific topic interest you

3rd: Formulate a question on what you want to know

4th: Collect information to answer your question

5th: Formulate thesis statement

6th: Make an outline

7th: Write the research paper

8th: Type/ computerize the final draft

1. Choosing a general topic

If your instructor does not assign a general subject area, you may discover your general subject from the following instances:

• Observation

• Experiences

• Readings

• Radio programs

• Television talk show

• Conversations

• Class discussion

• Information obtained from surfing the internet

2. Doing a preliminary reading

a. Reading for an overview of the general subject

With a general topic in your mind, proceed with a search for a specific topic by taking an overview of your general subject.

b. Narrowing to a specific aspect of the general subject

Pare down your topic several times, for if it’s too broad, the tendency is for you to treat it too skimpily for an in-depth analysis, however if it’s too narrow that scanning a book or two suffices to answer your question, quality discussion may be unnecessary. Therefore, be sure that the topic is limited enough for you to discuss fully in the length prescribed by your professor.

3. Stating a Question/Problems

After you have made a final choice of an appropriate topic for your paper, ask what you want to know. This will give your work focus and direction because your question will become your research problem.

Steps that will lead you to a definite question/problem.

1st: Brainstorming- in ten minutes, jot down all questions that come to your mind.

2nd: Choose one- go over your list and choose one that looks to be the most promising choice.

3rd: Estimate your question- to do this, answer the next questions.

a. Is it neither too narrow nor too broad for the specific length of the paper and the time needed to complete it?

b. Will you be able to find sufficient sources of information?

4th: Improve your question.

Question Check:

1. Is it worded simply and clearly?

2. Will it have only answer; not many?

3. Is it interesting enough for you to enjoy working on it to the end?

4. Is it worth investigating?

4. Data Gathering

Besides library research, data for a research investigation may be obtained through other descriptive methods like surveys, interviews, observations and documentary analysis. However, since basic research is largely library research, the main information source will naturally be the library.

Objectives:

1. To find out if your selected topic will have enough sources of data

2. To prepare a working bibliography; and

3. To read and take notes.

5. Formulating a Thesis statement

Thesis statement is the main idea of the whole composition. This is also the term given to the unifying or controlling idea of a research paper. The Thesis statement is usually the sentence that answers the question stated in the third step in the writing of the research paper: stating a question that identifies the problem.

6. Making an Outline

At this stage of research preparation, you have accumulated a stack of note cards. You are more knowledgeable about your topic as your mind teems with ideas. With your tentative thesis statement and your note cards to give you direction, you are now ready to draft your outline.

Your outline may be either a topic outline or a sentence outline.

An outline follows either of these patterns:

Number-Letter sequence pattern

I.

A.

B.

1.

2.

a.

b.

or

Decimal Pattern

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.2.1

1.2.2

1.2.2.1

7. Writing the research paper

• Writing the first draft

Having prepared a topic/sentence outline, you are now ready to write your first draft of your research.

• Revising the paper

As you revise the draft, consider your classmate’s answers to the peer-editing questions for they may bring out some of its weaknesses. Also, improve it for the effective sentence structure and supply necessary transitions within the sentences and between paragraphs.

8. Typing/Computerizing the final draft

Typing/computerizing- use only one side of white bond paper (8 ½ “by 11”)

Margins and Spacing

Top, Bottom, and Right side margins should be about one inch; except left side which is 1 ½ ; and the top margins of the first pages of the outline, the text, the “work cited” which are about two”.

Title Page

It should contain the following which should appear centered on the title page: title of your paper’ the code and description of the course, the name of the instructor, and the date of the due. Include the word “by” two spaces above your name.

Page Numbering

Do not number the title page, the outline, and the first page of your text (although the first page is counted as page1). Put the page number in the line with the right margin, in the upper-right hand corner, about a half inch from the top of the paper.

Proofreading

Proofread your paper after typing it. Correct all typographical errors; otherwise, the will become spelling errors. In addition, appearance counts! A first-rate paper is neat and presentable.