10 Steps to an Academic
Research Paper: A
Literature Review
Helen Hoyt Schmidt
Steffen W. Schmidt
Iowa State University
Your Research Project Assignment
The assignment for this research project and paper is to
z Choose a topic with instructor’s approval dealing with a
coastal policy issue or problem.
z Depending on the class (US CZM or International) the
following are some suggested topics:
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„
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z
Pollution and contamination (hypoxia, dead zones, etc.)
Coastal conservation, restoration, preservation
Flood and hurricane insurance
Economic/development issues
Over-fishing
The “politics” of coastal areas – zoning, real estate, business
Species-specific policies (Turtles, cetaceans, etc.)
Conduct a literature review that identifies the major research
that has been done on this subject and systematically report
on what you found. Always focus on POLICY!
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Specifications
z
z
z
The research paper should be at least 15 pages long (not
including the references pages), 11/2 line spaces, 12 point
type with normal margins.
You must include the following:
„ Library - Books and scientific journals
„ Internet sources – http://scholar.google.com/
z Government and NGO sources
z Private companies, engineering firms, etc.
z General news sites BBC, NY Times, Public TV/Radio,
NOVA
z Selected interviews with scientists, policy-makers,
private sector, NGO persons (face-to-face, e-mail, or
phone)
Include at least 2 books, 5 scholarly articles, 5 other sources.
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What is a Literature Review Research Paper?
“A literature review is a survey of what has been written in your
topic area.
z It is a systematic review of the published work about the topic
of your study.
z It acts as a guide and reference to further reading in the area.
z It should include alternate views if appropriate so the reader
realizes that there are other ways of looking at your topic.
z For a student writing a research paper, there is a secondary
function: it is a way of claiming credit for what you have read,
and showing that you understand the broad shape of your
subject.”
(adapted from http://www.hull.ac.uk/studyadvice/resources/acadw/01pdfs/litrevws.pdf, also
available as pdf attachment)
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Why You Should Write a Literature Review Research Paper
Undergraduate students and beginning Master’s degree
students do not ordinarily have the opportunity to do original
research to obtain data. Therefore, they are not normally
equipped to report on results of their own research.
Later, in students’ research writing careers, theses and doctoral
dissertations in most fields include a literature review in
addition to students’ original research results.
A literature review serves as background to your own research
and shows “how it fits into the established research in the
field.”
(http://www.hull.ac.uk/studyadvice/resources/acadw/01pdfs/litrevws.pdf
available as pdf attachment)
, also
The reason you should write a Literature Review Research Paper
is to give you experience in systematically researching,
learning about, and reporting on the scope and substance of a
topic area.
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Organization of a Literature Review Research Paper:
For a Chronological Order Paper
Title
Statement of
purpose
Introduction
Earliest research
Recent research
Current Research
Multiple
paragraphs
Future
research needs
Solutions
Conclusion
Summary
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Organization of a Literature Review Research Paper:
For a Problem/Solution Paper
Title
Statement of
purpose
Introduction
Background
Scope
Multiple
paragraphs
Causes
Future
research needs
Solutions
Conclusion
Summary
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The Research Paper Step by Step Grid
Steps
Task
By this date
Step 1
Prewriting
Find a topic and think about it.
Read some general articles in
library and on the Internet.
Discuss with Professor and get
approval.
Week 1
Step 2
Begin Writing
Narrow the topic; form a
temporary statement of
purpose and temporary outline.
Week 2
Step 3
Collect Information
Locate sources in the library
and on the WWW; prepare a
preliminary bibliography on 3” x
5” cards.
Week 2
Step 4
Begin to organize
Take notes from relevant
sources on 4”x 6” cards;
continue to locate sources.
Week 3
Step 5
Organize
Write outline subtopics on note
cards and revise temporary
outline into a working outline.
Week 3
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The Research Paper Step by Step 2
Steps 6 - 10
Steps
Task
By this date
Week 3
Update due
Step 6
Review your
progress
Inform professor specifically of
your progress. Use form in
slides 23-24 of this Power
Point.
Step 7
First Draft
Complete library and WWW
work and write a first draft of the
body of the paper.
Step 8
Revise the text
Get feedback; rewrite body;
write the introduction and
conclusion.
Week 4
Step 9
Finish
references
Fill in references in text or
footnotes.
Week 5
Step 10
Final Draft
Revise and edit to put the paper
into its final form.
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Week 4
First draft due
Week 6
Paper Due
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Next steps.
z
The following slides will walk you though the steps you should
follow in planning and writing your paper.
z
You can return to the previous grid to see where you are in
the process as you work.
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Step 1: Prewriting: Choosing a Topic
z
Find a possible topic.
z
Read some general articles on the topic in the library and on
the Internet (encyclopedias, newspapers, magazines, Google
on the Internet).
z
Find and read some of the sources that appear in the
reference lists of what you’ve already read.
z
Talk to your professor about your possible topic.
z
Think about your topic. Is it very general?
z
Narrow your topic to a very specific area .
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Step 2: How to Narrow the Topic
Topic (What?)
What Kind?
Where ?
When ?
Why?
How?
Statement
of
Purpose
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Pollution
Human sewage
Human sewage in global coastal areas
Recent concern about human sewage
in global coastal areas
Recent concern about human sewage
in global coastal areas has
implications for international
coastal policy to reduce its
negative impact.
This paper will examine the
issue of the impact of
human sewage on coastal
areas of the world and its
implications for international coastal policy.
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Step 2: How to Write a Temporary Outline
Title
Introduction: Purpose
I. Topic Sentence
A. Support
1. Detail
2. Detail
B. Support
C. Support
II. Topic Sentence
A. Support
B. Support
1. Detail
2. Detail
3. Detail
III. Topic Sentence
A. Support
B. Support
C. Support
The purpose is stated in the first
section, the introduction.
The body follows the introduction and
breaks down the points the writer
wants to make.
Some sections have subdivisions,
others do not.
Some papers have three or four major
sections, others may have more.
1. Detail
2. Detail
D. Support
IV. Conclusion
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The conclusion should restate the main
ideas, suggest solutions and the
need for more research, but never
introduce new material.
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Step 3: How to Write Your Bibliography Cards
Use 1 card for each source.
On the front of the card, write the author’s
name (last name first), the title, and
facts of publication (place, publisher,
date) and page numbers.
On the back of the card, write the call
number or place where you found the
source.
Also write notes to yourself about the source
Include a separate card for any graphic you
plan to use in the paper.
3” x 5” index card
Kiley, Liz & Ray Nader
Hypoxia Off Oregon Coast
New York : Doubleday, 2000, Pp
101-110.
TD427 N87 C58
2000
Interesting picture on pg 105
Kiley, Liz & Ray Nader
Hypoxia Off Oregon Coast
New York : Doubleday, 2000.
Graph pg 103
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Step 4: How to Write your Note Cards
4”x 6” or 5”x 8” index cards
1.
Write the author’s last name on the
left corner of the top line.
2.
Write only one idea from one source
on each card.
3.
Put the page number in a circle
before the first word on the note card.
4.
Take notes as direct quotations or
paraphrases. Don’t forget quotation
marks for direct quotations!
5.
As you take notes, write the subtopic
from your outline, where the idea may
fit, on the top right corner (in pencil).
Later, put the cards in the order of the
outline.
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Kiley
107
Introduction
“In order to obtain clean coastal
waters, we must understand and
reduce the effects of nutrient
pollution.”
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Step 5: Example Outline of a Problem Solution
Paper - Introduction
Title
Human Sewage and Its Impact
on Coastal Areas of the
World: its Implications for
Coastal Policy
Introduction
A.
Introduce topic
B.
Connecting Information
C.
Statement of purpose
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Introduction
A. State the topic. Use a
current quotation.
B. 1. Summarize experts’
descriptions of negative
effects of sewage and why it
is important to people
studying coastal policy and
to the public.
2. Tell why you chose this
topic.
C. End your introduction with
your statement of purpose to
tell what you intend to
discuss in your paper.
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Step 5: Example Outline – First Body Paragraph
A.
First Body Paragraph –
Topic Sentence
Support
B.
1. Detail
2. Detail
Support
I.
1.
2.
C.
1.
2.
A.
B.
1.
Detail
Detail
2.
C.
Support
Detail
Detail
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I.
1.
2.
State the background of
the topic.
Summarize experts’
description of the history of
the topic.
1. Quotation from expert
2. Quotation from expert
Summarize early scientific
research on the topic.
Quotation from expert
Quotation from expert
Summarize early activism
on the topic.
Quotation from expert
Quotation from expert
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Step 5: Example Outline – Second Body Paragraph
II. Second body paragraph Topic sentence
A. Support
II.
A.
1. detail
2. detail
B. Support
1. detail
2. detail
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B.
State the scope of the
topic.
Summarize the majority
of experts’ ideas on the
sewage problem (your
words).
1. Quotation from expert
2. Quotation from expert
Summarize other experts’
ideas if there are any.
1. Quotation from expert
2. Quotation from expert.
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Step 5: Example Outline – Third Body Paragraph
III. Third body paragraph Topic sentence
A.
Support
1. Detail
2. Detail
B.
B. Summarize alternative
experts’ ideas if there are
any.
1. Quotation from expert
2. Quotation from expert
Support
1. Detail
2. Detail
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III. State the causes of the
human sewage problem.
A.
Summarize the majority of
experts’ ideas (in your
words).
1.
Quotation from expert.
2.
Quotation from expert
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Step 5: Example Outline – Fourth Body Paragraph
IV.
Fourth body paragraph Topic sentence
A.
Support
1.
2.
Detail
Detail
B.
Support
1.
Detail
Detail
2.
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IV. State ideas about needs for
the future.
A.
Summarize experts’ ideas
about future research
(your words).
1.
2.
Quotation from expert
Quotation from expert
B. Summarize experts’
alternative ideas about
future research (your
words).
1.
2.
Quotation from expert
Quotation from expert
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Step 5: Example Outline – Fifth Body Paragraph
V.
Fifth Body Paragraph –
Topic Sentence
A.
Support
A.
Detail
Detail
1.
2.
Support
B.
V.
1.
2.
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B.
Detail
Detail
Summarize experts’
possible solutions to the
sewage problem starting
with the most frequently
mentioned one(s).
Summarize the experts’
most frequently
mentioned solutions
(your words).
1. Quotation of support
2. Quotation of support
Summarize experts’
future policy needs (your
words).
1.Quotation of support
2. Quotation of support
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Step 5: Example Outline - Conclusion
VI. Conclusion
A.
Summary of the main
ideas in the paper.
B. Suggestions for future
research.
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VI. Summarize what you have
learned from this project
and perhaps suggest
avenues for future research
in the area of the impact of
human sewage on global
coastal areas and
implications for policy.
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Step 6: Review Progress of your work (after doing steps 1-5)
After completing all the previous steps in this Power Point you should have a
working project outline completed.
Now, answer the questions below in a Word document with information about
what you have accomplished so far on your research paper. Send your outline
and update to your professor.
TOPIC:
1.
Has your topic changed from when you started?
2.
Write your topic here. _______________________________________________
STATEMENT OF PROJECT PURPOSE:
1.
Has your purpose statement changed?
2.
Write your purpose statement here. __________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
SUPPORT:
1.
Briefly write what the 5+ body paragraphs in your paper will discuss. _____________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
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Step 6: Research Paper Update 2
2.
List some materials in the library or on the Internet that you will include as sources
for your project. Write titles below.
Library books and articles
_________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Internet articles
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3.
Have you written 3”x 5” bibliography cards? _____________________________
4.
Have you taken notes on 4” x 6” or 5”x 8” cards?_________________________
5.
What information do you still need to find? _______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
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Step 7: How to Write the First Draft
z
Put your note cards in the order of your working outline.
z
Put your bibliography cards in alphabetical order at the end of
the note cards.
z
Begin to write. Follow your outline and note cards as much as
you can.
z
Include graphics.
z
As you write, include parentheses and note your in text
references at the end of each paraphrase and quotation.
z
Number all pages.
z
Write the references from your bibliography cards as a list on
a separate page at the end of your first draft.
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Step 8: How to Revise Your Paper
z
Submit your first draft to your instructor.
z
Get feedback from your instructor.
z
Follow the suggestions of your instructor to make changes
and improvements in your paper.
Please see attachment for the sample first draft with feedback.
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Step 9: How to Write Correct References
z
It is essential that you write your in-text and bibliographical
references in the correct APA form.
z
Add and revise the references in your first draft.
Please see attachment for the correct APA forms.
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Step 10: How to Revise and Write the Final Draft
z
Follow your instructor’s feedback to revise the organization of
your paper.
z
Follow your instructor’s feedback to revise the spelling,
punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure in your paper.
z
Double-check your in-text and bibliographic references.
Include only references that you have used in your text.
z
Add a cover page including the title, your name, class,
instructor’s name, and date.
Please see attachment for the sample final paper.
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