John Stewart Memorial Library

Research Scheduler

Research Assignment Scheduler

Calculate the best schedule for your upcoming research assignments:

  • Select the Start Date (when you plan to begin your research paper) and the End Date (when the assignment is due).
  • Click "Calculate Schedule" to view the steps and suggested due dates for your research process.
  • After your schedule is calculated, click on “Save Your Schedule” at the bottom and print or save your schedule.
  • Remember: Check this schedule against your instructor’s syllabus to make sure there are no conflicts.
Start Date:
End Date:
 

Step One

Understand Your Assignment

  • Read your assignment carefully before you start to ensure you understand the requirements.
  • Note any specific deadlines for submitting your topic, sources, outlines, or drafts.
  • Consult with your instructor if you have questions in these areas.

Step Two

Define Your Topic

  • Write down your research question or topic.
  • Note keywords and subject terms that can be used as search terms.
  • Consult your instructor, the Academic Success Center, or a Librarian for help brainstorming, outlining, or talking through your topic ideas
  • Make an appointment with your Personal Librarian if needed. Email jsmlibrary@wilson.edu if you do not know who your Personal Librarian is.
  • Visit the Library’s Research Guides for the best places to start with your research.

Step Three

Investigate Your Topic

  • Refine your topic and ask more specific questions to define your thesis statement.
  • Are you on track?
    • Consult with your instructor on the direction of your paper.
    • Visit the your Personal Librarian or another Librarian to provide guidance on locating information and resources to help you refine your topic.
    • Visit the Writing Lab to refine your topic idea based on the research you’ve done and the assignment requirements.

Step Four

Retrieve Information on Your Topic

  • Plan your search strategy. 
  • Search and choose sources.
  • Use the Library Catalog and Databases to gather your information.
  • Are you on track?
    • Consult with your instructor on the direction of your paper.
    • Visit your Personal Librarian or another Librarian to provide guidance on locating information and resources to help you refine your topic.

Step Five

Read and Evaluate Information

  • Keep track of your sources and record the citation information as you go.
  • Set up a PowerNotes account. You can use PowerNotes to help you save, annotate, organize, and cite your sources.  Make sure to use your Wilson email to set up your account.  Download the browser extension to help you take notes on your sources quickly and easily. 
  • See a librarian for citation help.
  • Evaluate the gathered information for your research:
    • Have you found enough information on your topic?
    • See the Research Steps Guide for help.
    • Does the information support your thesis?
    • Have you answered the questions: What, Why, Where, When, How?
  • Are you on track?
    • Consult with your instructor on the direction of your paper.
    • Visit your Personal Librarian or another Librarian to provide guidance on locating information and resources to help you refine your topic.
    • Work with a Writing Lab tutor if you feel like you want to make sure you’re still on track.

Step Six

Create Your Outline

  • Organize your ideas.
  • Organize your notes.
  • Outline the format of your paper.
  • In PowerNotes you can create a project board for each of your research assignments.  This board will help you began to organize your ideas and formulate an outline for your papers. This will help facilitate your transition from the research to the writing process.
  • Work with a Writing Lab tutor if you feel like you want to make sure you’re still on track.

Step Seven

Write the First Draft

  • Writing lab tutors are available to help you get started or work through writer’s block. Visit the Academic Success Center website to learn more.

Step Eight

Conduct Additional Research as Necessary

  • Reread your assignment.
  • Keep looking for more resources that support your thesis or argument.
  • Are you on track?
    • Consult with your instructor on the direction of your paper.
    • Schedule a Research Paper Consultation with your Personal Librarian. Email jsmlibrary@wilson.edu if you do not know who your Personal Librarian is.

Step Nine

Revise and Rewrite: Second Draft

  • Complete bibliography.
  • See a librarian for citation help.

Step Ten

Proofread Your Paper

  • Look for spelling and grammatical errors.
  • Does your paper fulfill the assignment requirements?
  • The Writing Lab can help you learn proofreading strategies, and you can visit their website more information.
  • Final review.

Step Eleven

Final Draft

Write the final draft of your paper.

The Writing Lab can be an extra pair of eyes to be sure that you’ve fulfilled the assignment requirements.

Step Twelve

Assignment Due Date

  • Submit your paper!

To save: On Google Chrome, from the print screen select save as .pdf to save your schedule.