Writing a Research Paper
Use this guide to help you write your paper.
Library Research Guide
Use the Writing a Research Paper Guide
Here are the steps for researching and writing your paper:
- Step 1: Choose your topicHelp generating main ideas for your paper.
- Step 2: Find sourcesHelp locating books, articles, and more.
- Step 3: Evaluate sourcesHelp determining if your sources enhance or detract from your paper.
- Step 4: Organize your informationHelp getting your sources together.
- Step 5: Draft Your PaperHelp formulating your first draft.
- Step 6: Review, revise, & refineHelp editing and re-editing your paper.
Research Process Resources
Citation styles
Use these manuals when you need guidance about citing in a particular style, or one that's used in your specific discipline. Citation manuals also include how to format a research paper according to that style.
The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition by
In addition to the print copy, we also have the online edition (info about both the print and online edition is above).
Call Number: Z253 .C57ISBN: 9780226287058Publication Date: 2017
MLA Handbook by
The official guide to MLA style, published by the Modern Language Association. Title is on reserve at the library help desk, 2nd floor of Hale Library
Call Number: LB2369 .M52 2021ISBN: 1603293515Publication Date: 2021
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association by
The official source for APA style, published by the American Psychological Association. Title is on reserve at the library help desk, 2nd floor of Hale Library. It is also on reserve at the library help desk at K-State Salina.
Call Number: BF76.7 .P83 2020ISBN: 9781433832161Publication Date: 2020
Writing & grammar
Use these guides when you need advice about writing/composition, grammar, and how to incorporate sources into your writing.
The Elements of Style by
Love it or hate it, one of the most famous books on writing style and grammar usage. Strunk and White's classic 20th century work still influences writers today, almost 100 years after its first publication.
Call Number: PE1408 .S772 1979ISBN: 9780024182005Publication Date: 1979 (3rd edition)
The Rowman and Littlefield Guide to Writing with Sources by
A guide to incorporating sources into your writing. Contains sections on when to credit a source, quoting directly from a source, and paraphrasing.
Call Number: PE1478 .D37 2012ISBN: 1442205695Publication Date: 2011
A Writer's Reference by
Divided into three main categories, Hacker's reference book covers composition/style, correctness, and research/basic grammar.
Call Number: PE1408 .H2778 2007ISBN: 0312450257Publication Date: 2007
Information literacy
Want to be a better researcher? Use these guides to strengthen your information seeking skills.
Developing Information Literacy Skills: A Guide to Finding, Evaluating, and Citing Sources by
Harlock covers skills like finding, evaluating, and citing sources, and then teaches you how to incorporate those skills into writing an effective research paper.
Call Number: Electronic bookISBN: 0472037668Publication Date: 2020
The Elements of Library Research: What Every Student Needs to Know by
This short, practical book introduces you to the important components of the information-seeking process.
Call Number: Electronic bookISBN: 0691138575Publication Date: 2008
