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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.
Step One
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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.
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Step Two
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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.
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Step Three
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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.
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Step Four
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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.
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Step Five
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Read and Evaluate Information
- Keep track of your sources and record the citation information as you go.
- 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.
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Step Six
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Create Your Outline
- Organize your ideas.
- Organize your notes.
- Outline the format of your paper.
- Work with a Writing Lab tutor if you feel like you want to make sure you’re still on track.
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Step Seven
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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.
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Step Eight
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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.
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Step Nine
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Revise and Rewrite: Second Draft
- Complete bibliography.
- See a librarian for citation help.
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Step Ten
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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.
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Step Eleven
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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.
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Step Twelve
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Assignment Due Date
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To save: On Google Chrome, from the print screen select save as .pdf to save your schedule.