One of the best ways to write a good essay is to back it up with sufficient research. However, you might feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information available or, sometimes, even the lack of it.
In this article, we aim to explain how students can approach the research in order to make sure that their essays and academic papers are authoritative and commendable.
The first thing to do is have a clear idea of what information you need to find out. In other words, come up with a question. For instance, if you are writing an essay on “climate change,” the question might be, “What are the current government policies that target climate change?”
With some topics, you might need to brainstorm to come up with the right question or do a general search first to see what questions come up. If you are struggling to find sufficient data about your chosen topic, you can get help from one of the reputable term paper writing service that provide assistance. These platforms will have dedicated research experts who can help you write an essay on complex topics.
If you are completely new to the topic, then it is necessary to acquire a basic understanding of the subject before you delve deeper into the research. In doing so, you won’t struggle so much to grasp the topic. This also means that you won’t be swayed by the first research data you come across, especially if you don’t have sufficient knowledge to analyze it or question it properly.
Without enough knowledge about the topic, you won’t be able to take a critical approach when doing research. It is ok to use websites such as Wikipedia or YouTube videos that will give you a basic introduction. And if your professor has already given a lecture about it, you can also review the notes or refer to textbooks to refresh your mind before proceeding with the research.
As you do the broad research, pay attention to points or arguments that pique your interest. It might make clear the issue you might want to investigate more. These can help you conduct more in-depth research. For instance, think of an upside-down pyramid. You can start with a wide range of research material before narrowing it down to a single thesis statement – this is the framework students should adopt when writing an academic paper.
At this stage, you should also take time to evaluate the sources you use to make sure that they are reliable and unbiased. If you are doing research for a thesis or dissertation, you might also want to check if the academic paper you use as a reference is peer-reviewed.
In some cases, students can also find information regarding an essay or research topic from the reading list suggested for the course. If you are just starting the year, try to get hold of as many books as you can right away, so you can easily refer to them when you are given an assignment. This shouldn’t be such a big issue since most textbooks are available as PDFs, or epubs, on the internet.
Another useful source can be libraries – both brick and mortar, as well as online databases. Your university is also likely to give you access to online libraries. If you are finding it difficult to navigate an online database, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact the librarian. After all, they are there for a reason – they should be able to point you in the right direction.
To make sure that your essay comes out well, it is important to consider a range of perspectives. You shouldn’t be relying heavily on one resource or argument without referring to other possible opinions – otherwise, it’s bad academic practice.
While researching, keep a note of the different arguments, along with the evidence that supports or contradicts them. Similarly, context and influence are also crucial when considering an argument; therefore, if a scholar’s or author’s name keeps popping up, it’s worth investing more in them.
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It is not uncommon for students to forget about research material after including it in the paper. Of course, you will need to cite the sources – so it is crucial to keep tabs on where you are taking the information from. However, organizing your research materials can also make the writing process a lot less stressful.
This is especially the case if you are doing the research first before sitting down to write. By properly organizing the research, you will know how to find specific information while writing the paper. Moreover, it will also come in handy if you have to do follow-up research later.
Researching is not only about finding the right references. Instead, when you are writing the final paper or forming your thesis, you should also consider how the research is presented. For instance, it is necessary to abide by the rules of plagiarism, as well as citation requirements.
Students should familiarize themselves with citation formats such as the Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), Chicago, and so forth. However, these days there are paper writing tools and apps that can help you cite your references easily.
The more time you set aside for research, the better grasp you will have on the topic. Needless to say, this means that you shouldn’t be leaving your essay until the last minute. If you start writing without doing adequate research, it is likely to reflect in your essay.
The amount of time to do research will depend on the topic and the type of assignment. So, you need to go through the brief and requirements beforehand to know how much time you will need to set aside for research, writing, as well as proofreading.