How to Write a Research Paper

• Selecting a Topic
• Types of Information Sources
• Locating Information
• Searching the Web
• Evaluating Sources
• The Writing Process
• Acknowledging Sources

Besides the various links on this page, you may find the library's online video tutorials on Information Literacy helpful.

Selecting a Topic

• Selecting a topic: Video tutorial
• How to Select a Research Topic
• Best Information on the Net: A list of popular paper topics and links to information about them
• Issues and Controversies: Another list of topics

Types of Information Sources

• Types of Information Sources: Video tutorial
• Online Reference Databases: Video tutorial
• Online Periodical Databases: Video tutorial

Locating Information

• Libraries & Library Web Sites: Video tutorial
• Using a Library Catalog: Video tutorial
• Locating Materials in the Library: Video tutorial
• Browsing & Searching the Web: Video tutorial
• Help Searching the Library Catalog
• How to Read a Call Number

Searching the Web

• Bare Bones 101: A Very Basic Web Searching Tutorial
• Choose the Best Search for Your Information Needs
• Boolean Searching for the Web [from UC Berkeley]
• Boolean Searching on the Internet: A Primer in Boolean Logic

Evaluating Sources

• Evaluating Information Sources: Video tutorial

Journal Articles

• Scholarly Journals vs. Popular Magazine Articles
• Popular Magazines vs. Trade Magazines vs. Scholarly Journals

Primary vs. Secondary Sources

• Identifying Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Sources

Evaluating Web Sites

• Evaluation Criteria: from “The Good, The Bad & The Ugly …”
• Tips for evaluating Web Sources

The Writing Process

• Annotated Bibliography Guidelines
• Argument & Opinion Essay Writing 
• Book and Article Review or Critique Guidelines
• How to Write a Term Paper
• Internet Writing Resources
• Writing Book Reviews

Acknowledging Sources

• Plagiarism and Citation Styles: Video tutorial

Avoiding Plagiarism

• Plagiarism Resources for Students: A collection of web sites
• Plagiarism Court: You be the Judge: A tutorial
• Plagiarism: What it is and How to Avoid It

Citing Sources

General Resources

• UA Citation Guides
• Research and Documentation: Diana Hacker's on-line guide to APA, MLA, and Chicago formats

MLA Format

• Full guide (PDF)
• Quick reference guide (PDF)
• Gale citation guide (PDF)
• Online guide from Owl at Purdue University

APA Format

• Full guide (PDF)
• Quick reference guide (PDF)
• Online guide from Owl at Purdue University