ENGL C1000 and C1001: Anders | Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother: Guide to Researching Themes

"Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose."

- Zora Neale Hurston

Research is a Process

Writing a research paper doesn't have to be overwhelming. It helps if you just think of it as a project that has a series of manageable steps you take to complete it. You can use this guide to follow those steps. Remember, real librarians are here to help you along your way.

1.Understand your assignment

What topics can you explore? Are any topics off limits? How long is the finished product? When is it due? How many and what type of sources are required? Will you be describing, analyzing, comparing, solving, or persuading?

2.Choose a meaningful topic

Research is an opportunity to explore topics relevant to you and your life. If your topic isn’t personally meaningful, the research process will quickly become tedious. If you have trouble connecting with a topic, your MJC librarians will have lots of ideas to help.

3.Develop your topic through preliminary reading

Think of preliminary reading as front-loading your learning: giving yourself the background knowledge and vocabulary you need before tackling the more complex content you'll use as your actual sources. Preliminary reading -- sometimes called background reading -- helps you to familiarize yourself with existing information, current research, and various viewpoints concerning your chosen topic.

This type of inquiry helps you evaluate the viability of potential topics and gauge your continued interested in exploring those topics. Preliminary reading can also help you refine or narrow broad topics into a manageable focus. Where are other researchers and writers focusing their attention?

To be clear, preliminary reading isn't about finding your sources -- though you may find some along the way -- as much as it is about finding and expanding your ideas. 

4.Create research questions

Research questions help shape your paper, plus save you time as you focus on finding sources answering specific questions. As your research progresses, you may revise and even add to your questions. Research librarians are happy to help you develop some questions to get you started.

5.Gather your sources

Use library databases to find high-quality sources answering your research questions. Follow the assignment’s source guidelines, and rigorously evaluate everything you plan on including in your bibliography. Be sure to follow the citation style set out by your professor.

6.Read, reflect, write, revise!

It’s simple: the more you read, think and write about your topic, the more you’ll learn about it. Read your sources closely and often, tracking the information you plan to use. Get your ideas down on paper as they develop, and cite your sources as you go.

Use the Library & Learning Center

MJC librarians can help you get started with your project, and assist you with each and every step of the research process. Tutors in the L&LC will help ensure the grammar, spelling, and organization of your paper is turn-in ready. Visit us early and as often as needed!

After you've done some background reading and have an idea of the points you want to make in your speech, it's time to dig deeper and find evidence to support those points.

The MJC Library & Learning Center subscribes to over 100 databases. Listed below are some of our most popular databases; MJC research librarians are happy to point you toward the best database(s) for your chosen topic.

Databases for Current Events, Controversial Issues, Persuasive Essays

Databases for All Topics

You can also search Google to find information on the Web for your speech.