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Miscellaneous Research Tips

The following research/writing tips are from students in the Research Hall of Fame. Those helpful ideas mentioned by a number of students are noted with ***.

• *** Since you only get out what you put into the paper and the entire process, make sure you use everything available to you--people, extra time, resources, other libraries, and the like.
• Use the structure in the Handbook for Writers to help you organize your paper.
• If you are writing a collaborative paper, do not try to write the paper as a group; assign different tasks to different people.
• *** Use bibliographies to help you ascertain the value of various sources. The more a source is cited by others, the more valuable it may be to your research.
• Do not read a book from cover to cover--skim the book and only read pertinent sections, chapters, etc.
• *** Use abstracts in periodical databases. They will help you evaluate the usefulness of your sources. Be sure to print the abstracts in addition to printing the article.
• You may need to reread material 2 or 3 times. The first time you will get an overview of the material, the second time you will read it to comprehend it, and the third time you will read it to take notes.
• *** Talk about your paper, your topic, your ideas, etc. with your friends, teachers, classmates, and family. This is especially important in the begining as these conversations will help you gain a focus for your paper.
• Use a computer to take notes and use the "cut and paste" feature of your software to manipulate the notes.
• Look over your material before copying to try and save money.
• Avoid redundancy in taking notes.
• Even if you know how to use the library, tell a librarian about your topic. He/she may be able to suggest other resources.
• *** Take advantage of the InterLibrary Loan Service.
• *** START EARLY!!!
• *** If your topic is one you are not familiar with, do some general, background reading to become more knowledgeable about it.
• *** Brainstorm, either with yourself, or with others, to come up with topic ideas.
• The Handbook for Writers contains an excellent list of questions to ask yourself if you are writing an interpretive paper.
• A positive attitude throughout the entire process is helpful.
• If there is a Pathfinder on your topic, use it.
• Pay attention to introductory material, author biographies, appendixes, etc.
• *** Use an outline as an organizational tool.
• The more time you spend in general preparation and research, the more productive the writing of the paper will be.
• *** Use other libraries.
• *** Use online sources.
• *** Start with a broad, general idea of what you what to do with your paper. Don't become too specific too soon. Leave yourself open to as many possibilities as possible early on in the process.
• Use the Contemporary Literary Criticism and other literary reference sources both as secondary sources and as indexes.
• Be organized and focused on your task.
• Use the outline to keep on task; don't allow yourself to wander off in peripheral directions, unrelated to your paper.
• Have someone proofread your paper.
• Use a computer for all drafts of the paper.
• Be aware of your own style. If you know you will need a lot of time at the end of the process for refining your paper, make sure you leave enough time.
• Read everything 2 to 3 times.
• Make sure the end of the paper is obvious and that the reader will have a feeling of finality and completion.
• Try to make your paper unique--to stand out from others in your class.
• Don't forget the older paper resources--the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature is still helpful in some situations.
• Be conscious of the "information trail." Get deeply involved in your research. When a secondary source mentions a primary source, read the primary source. Don't ignore bibliographies with articles, book, etc. Use these sources.
• Don't take anything at face value. Question your sources. Research the authors you are using; see what other books, articles, etc. they have published on your topic.
• Just start writing--don't worry about editing until later. Plan on 4 to 6 drafts of the paper.
• Avoid just compiling facts in your paper.
• If appropriate, a good way to start the paper is with an anecdote.
• If you paper is a literary one, see if there is a film or video you can watch to help understand the source.
• Browse the library stacks.
• Staple the bibliographic information/abstracts, etc. to the actual source. This will help organize everything.
• If you paper is a literary one, buy a paperback copy of the primary source so that you can highlight, mark, etc. the book.
• If you paper is a literary one, choose a primary source you really enjoy and one that you can relate to.

The Research Hall of Fame consists of a group of Valencia students who have not only written exemplary papers, but have also shown unique abilities in research. Students were recommended by their professors. Copies of their papers are on file in the LRC and photographs of the students are displayed in the Library Instruction Room. The following papers and students are part of the Hall of Fame.

Arthur Ashe: Much More Than Just An Athlete Michael R. Umstead July 26, 1993

The Estuary Michael R. Umstead and Laura Wick October 21, 1993

The Amish: Standards and Practices of an Older Community Marilyn L. Thompson November 18, 1993

From Vlad to Ted: The Serial Killer as the Twentieth Century Vampire Kim Gessner November 24, 1993

The Emotional History of Serial Murderers Frankie George March 3, 1994

Unveiling the Feminist Message in Nella Larsen's "The Wrong Man" Julie L. Jones March 22, 1994

Nella Larsen and Her Heroines in the Quest for Identity Susan D. Conanan March 22, 1994

"The Bones of Contention:" Short Story or Warning? Gregory R. Schaberg March 22, 1994

"Long Cherished Wish" Kathy Caltagirone Holzli November 14, 1994

Hero Today, Gone Tomorrow: The Folly of American Hero Worship Jack M. Briggs November 14, 1994

True Heroism: Defining the Title of "Hero" and When it Should be Used Laurie Lawrence November 14, 1994

Toni Morrison: The Abuse of Victims in The Bluest Eye Stacey Russell November 22, 1994

James Joyce: The Life of "The Dead" Kelly A. Foley November 22, 1994

The Prejudice of the Ignorant: An Unacknowledged Theme Rachel L. Wade November 22, 1994

Fitzgerald: An Analysis of "Babylon Revisited" Alper Tunga Usenmez November 22, 1994

Fitzgerald: An Analysis of "Winter Dreams" Demet Dalkiran November 22, 1994

"A Worn Path:" Journey of the Phoenix Margaret A. Shacklett April 11, 1995

A Fight for Equality, Justice and "True" Freedom Crystal Gross April 14, 1995

The Adventures of the Illustrious Harrison Bergeron in the Curious Republic of Gondour Heather E. Walters March 19, 1995

The Cultural Revival of Paul Gauguin Avon Lotu March 20, 1995

"And Clap Your Padlock--On Her Mind" Nancy Powell March 20, 1995

Rebellion Without a Cause: An Interpretative Analysis of Kate Chopin's The Awakening Susan Bertrand March 24, 1995

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: Their Historiocity and Impact on Modern Culture Ingrid Dunn-Stanley March 25, 1995

The Inclusive School Betsy Sharpe July 20, 1995

African-Americans in Motion Pictures Sonia Martel July 24, 1995

Banff National Park: "Preservation or Profit" Barry D. Hus February 23, 1996

The Hillary Clinton Controversy: A First Lady Rejects the Feminine Mystique Mary Jane Martin March 8, 1996

The Electoral College: Discrimination or Grand Design: Meredith J. Menefee march 7, 1996

Edwin Powell Hubble: The Past, Present, and Future of Astronomy Michele Garrett April 23, 1996

Illegal Immigration: The Great American Melting Pot: Boiling Over? Glen Hight December 10, 1996

Understanding Physician-Assisted Suicide Angela

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