Eight Steps to Producing a
Research Paper
A Survivor’s Guide
to Doing Research
and Writing
(Thanks to Dr. Tollett and Sally
Shelton for this presentation)
Eight Steps to Producing
a Research Paper
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Select the Topic
Research in Authoritative Summaries
Narrow the Topic
Build the Working Bibliography
Take Notes
Construct the Rough Draft
Rewrite and Polish the Rough Draft
Prepare the Final Copy
Step ONE: Select the Topic

Topics are usually broad in scope

Select a topic that will hold your
interest throughout the entire
process.

Begin doing preliminary research to
make sure the topic is a viable one.
Step TWO: Research in
Authoritative Summaries

Summaries are found in the reference
section of the library.

Summaries give you the five W’s: Who,
What, Where, When, and Why.

Once you have read the summaries,
come up with a “tentative thesis
statement.”
Tentative Thesis Statement

The Thesis Statement is the single
controlling idea of the paper.

Boil all thoughts on the topic down to one
proposition/statement or a question that
will be answered by the research

Don’t spend much time on this now—go
with your initial “gut” feeling
Research in Authoritative Summaries
(cont.)

Summaries are found in:
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General Encyclopedias
Specialty Encyclopedias
Dictionaries
Handbooks
Introductions
Textbooks
As you work in the reference section of
the library you will find many useful tools.
General Encyclopedia
Dictionary: Lexicons
Dictionary: Vocabularies
Bible Dictionary
Theological Dictionary
Atlas
Biblical Histories
Bible Handbook
Concordance
Commentary



Presents an in-depth study on a particular
passage of scripture.
Discusses:
 Meaning of terms
 Historical background of passage
 Theological insights
 Exegesis
This is not a summary tool.
Step THREE: Narrow the topic
You had a fairly well defined topic, till
. . . you read the authoritative
summaries; now the topic is much
broader than you thought.
 Now you know the paper could be two
to three times the size of that
specified by the professor.
 It’s time to redefine or narrow the
topic.

For Example, Sanctification
Means “to be set apart, to be holy.”
 “For I am Jehovah your God, and
you have sanctified yourselves, and
you have become holy for I am holy”

[emphasis added] (Lev 11:44).

“because it has been written, ‘Be
holy, because I am holy’” [emphasis
added] (1 Pet 1:16).
Sanctification: Theological Use
Base meaning: “Perfection”
 Your theological background
determines how you view
“Sanctification” or “Perfection”
 Wesleyan/Holiness:
 Perfect Love, Sinlessness, Entire
Sanctification
 No longer need to sin.

Theological Use (cont.)

Reformed Perspective
Progressive sanctification (process)
 From moment saved, you are being
“made holy”
 Sanctification is not completed in this
life; as believers we are to strive to live
as holy as we can

Sanctification: Biblical Use



Positional – One is sanctified because of the
relationship one has in Christ under the blood of
the New Covenant (also known as Justification).
Experiential – One is sanctified when the Holy
Spirit regenerates and takes up residence in
one’s life.
Ultimate – One is sanctified completely when
one sees the Lord Jesus Christ “face to face”—
Either one is sanctified or not.
Narrowing the Topic
Makes the topic more manageable
 Makes the research process much
easier

Step FOUR: Build the Working
Bibliography

Provides an overview of the sources in a
given library

Creates a list and location of books,
periodicals, or other sources to explore

Allows for the final bibliography to be
constructed quickly and easily
The Library Catalog
Erickson, Millard J. Introducing Christian Doctrine. Grand
Rapids: Baker Book House, 1992.
Call #: BT75.2.E76 1992
Periodical Databases
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ATLA Religion Database
Christian Periodical Index
Old Testament Abstracts
New Testament Abstracts
Academic Search Premier
Catholic Periodical and Literature Index
Reader’s Guide to Periodic Literature
Religious and Theological Abstracts
Include indexes, abstracts and/or full text
Guidelines for using note
cards
Only one entry per card
 Make each entry in ink
 Write on only one side of the card

Step FIVE: Take Notes
Many students make the
mistake of taking notes on
one or more sheets of
paper.
They take copious notes
one right after the other.
Unfortunately, when this method is used,
it is difficult to organize the notes well
and makes writing the paper more
difficult than it needs to be.
Guidelines For Using Index Cards
Use 4” X 6” index cards.
 Record the source and page
number(s) before taking the note.
 Write all notes legibly.
 Record only one relevant item of
information on each card.
 Write on only one side of card.

Example Index Card
Reconciliation
Millard J. Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine,
252
“The death of Christ also brings to an end the
enmity and estrangement which exist between God
and humankind. Our hostility toward God is
removed. The emphasis in Scripture is usually that
we are reconciled to God, that is, he plays the active
role; he reconciles us to himself.”
Note with Page Breaks
Reconciliation
Millard J. Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine, 252-253
“The death of Christ also brings to an end the enmity and
estrangement which exist between God and humankind.
Our hostility toward God is removed. The emphasis in
Scripture is usually that we are reconciled to God, that is, he
plays the active role; he reconciles us to himself. On this
basis, the ad-(252)
vocates of the moral-influence theory have contended that
reconciliation is strictly God’s work.” (253)
Continuing Notes on Cards
Reconciliation
1 of 2
Millard J. Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine, 252-253
“The death of Christ also brings to an end the enmity and
estrangement which exist between God and humankind.
Our hostility toward God is removed. The emphasis in
Scripture is usually that we are reconciled to God, that is, he
plays the active role; he reconciles us to himself. On this
basis, the ad-(252)
vocates of the moral-influence theory have contended that
reconciliation is strictly God’s work.” (253)
Continuing Notes
Reconciliation
2 of 2
Millard J. Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine, 252-253
“To answer, we need to note, first, that when the Bible
entreats someone to be reconciled to another, the hostility
does not necessarily lie with the person who is being
addressed.” (253)
Guidelines When Taking
Notes
Never take notes indiscriminately –
be selective in your note taking.
 Record only what is new or stated in
an unusual way.
 It is usually during the note taking
process that the thesis becomes
solidified and that a tentative outline
for the paper develops.

Four Types of Notes
Rough Summary
 Paraphrase
 Précis
 Direct Quotation

Rough Summary
Reconciliation
Millard J. Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine, 252-253
Christ death brings end to the alienation between God and
man. Because of Christ, man is reconciled to God.
Reconciliation is initiated from God’s side.
Paraphrase
Reconciliation
Millard J. Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine, 252-253
Christ’s death ends the alienation that had existed between
God and man. The scriptures teach that by His death, Christ
has made it possible for mankind to be “reconciled to God.”
God Himself took an “active role” in the process of
reconciliation.
Précis
Reconciliation
Millard J. Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine, 252-253
Christ’s death ends enmity, estrangement, and hostility since
God actively and solely reconciled humankind to himself.
Direct Quotation
Reconciliation
1 of 2
Millard J. Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine, 252-253
“The death of Christ also brings to an end the enmity and
estrangement which exist between God and humankind. Our
hostility toward God is removed. The emphasis in Scripture is
usually that we are reconciled to God, that is, he plays the
active role; he reconciles us to himself. On this basis, the ad(252)
vocates of the moral-influence theory have contended that
reconciliation is strictly God’s work.” (253)
Direct quotations should be
used when:
Exact wording cannot be improved
 Point needs substantiation by an
authority
 Comparing/contrasting two views
 Specific statement is being analyzed
 Precision is required – stating
formula, law, or edict

Evaluating Sources for use
Relevance to topic
 Type of Source: Primary or
Secondary (noted in Primary)
 The author’s perspective
 The author’s credentials
 Readability of the source

Other Sources
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Vertical Files
Dissertations
Original
Autographs
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Media Sources
Internet
Original Research
Vertical Files
Pamphlets
 Tracts
 Letters
 News Releases
 Flyers

Dissertations

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Dissertation Abstracts International
(Abstracts)
 Statement of problem/issue researched
 Description of research method
 Summary of findings/significance
 Summary of conclusion reached
WorldCatDissertations Database under World
Cat on ORU Library homepage
Original Autographs
Private Archives
 Institutional Collections
 Private Homes
 Includes such items as:

Letters
 Notes
 Diaries
 Manuscripts

Media Sources
Tape Recordings (Professional and
Amateur)
 Sources:

Documentaries
 Newscasts
 Debates
 Motion Pictures

Internet
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

Care should be taken when taking
material from the net.
Search the Web with a search engine
(Google.com, Yahoo.com, AltaVista.com,
etc.)
Care must be made in documentation
(nutsandbolts.washcoll.edu is a good site)
Original Research
Letters
 Interview
 Survey

Step SIX: Construct the Rough
Draft
 Outlining
 Three
the paper
parts to any paper
 Preparing
the first Rough Draft
Outlining the Material
I.
First Level Heading for Major Divisions
A. Second Level Subheadings for Secondary Headings
1. Third Level Subheading for Development of Sub-points
2. Third Level Subheading for Development of Sub-points
B. Second Level Subheadings for Secondary Headings
II. First Level Heading for Major Divisions . . .
Only subdivide if there are two or more subdivisions.
Each division of the outline should point back to the
Thesis.
Basic Format
I. First Major Point
A. Sub-point #1
B. Sub-point #2
II. Second Point
A. Sub-point #1
B. Sub-point #2
III. Third Point
A. Sub-point #1
B. Sub-point #2
Each Point and
Sub-point supports
Thesis Statement
An Example Outline:
When the Thief Comes, Go to Jesus
Text: John 10: 7-11
Thesis: If the devil has attacked you, go to
Jesus for restoration.
I.
Introduction: We have all lost things
A. My home was burglarized
B. Many of you have been touched
thief
C. We need to get over such losses.
Example Outline (cont.)
II.
The
A.
B.
C.
D.
Thief’s Activities (10a)
Thief comes to steal
Thief comes to kill
Thief comes to destroy
The Thief is Satan
1. Steals vitality, time, peace
2. Kills Spiritually (Mat. 10:28)
3. Discourages and destroys
Example Outline (cont.)
Christ’s Activities (10b-11)
A. Christ restores shattered lives
B. Christ gives a reason for living
C. Christ recreates good things to
replace what is gone.
IV. The Sheep’s Activities (vs. 8)
A. Don’t listen to false shepherds
B. Be prepared for onslaught of
Satan
C. Illustration: Founding of Security
Company to protect self/others.
III.
Example Outline (cont.)
V.
Conclusion
A. Are you in the Good Shepherd’s
Arms
B. Are you prepared to face the
thief?
C. You can meet Jesus this day
and have life more abundantly
(vs. 10b).
D. When the thief comes, go to
Jesus.
Place Outline Divisions on Note Cards
II. The Thief’s Activities (Vs. 10a)
Arrange Note Cards behind the Outline Cards.
Computer Outline Option
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Place the major points of your outline in
a computer document.
Cut and paste notes from other
computer documents in appropriate
order under the major points of the
outline.
Now you have an outline to work with
on your computer, with note material
already inserted and ready to be fully
documented with footnotes.
THREE PARTS TO ANY PAPER
INTRODUCTION
Thesis statement, proposition, or main point
BODY OF PAPER
Paragraph #1 explaining, or arguing main point
BODY OF PAPER
Para. #2 explaining, or arguing main point
BODY OF PAPER
Para. #3 explaining, or arguing main point . . .
CONCLUSION
Concluding statement pointing back to thesis
The Paragraph (minimum of three
sentences)
TOPIC SENTENCE
The first sentence in the paragraph should either
introduce the topic to be discussed or link this paragraph
with the previous one. There is to be only one main idea
per paragraph.
EXPLANATION/DISCUSSION
The next sentence(s) should amplify, explain, or argue the
point introduced by the first sentence.
CONCLUSION/TRANSITION
The last sentence should conclude the discussion or act
as a transition to the next paragraph.
Three Questions to Ask

Is the idea in the paragraph
prevalent and relevant?

Does this paragraph clarify or
confuse the issue?

Does this paragraph belong here or
elsewhere in the paper?
Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement is the controlling idea of
the paper

Make one proposition/statement or a
question to be answered by the research

It previews the entire scope of the paper

As you are outlining or writing the paper,
check your material against the Thesis
INTRODUCTION
1. A strong Introduction makes a strong paper
2. Grab the attention of your reader in the first
paragraphs
3. In the Introduction you are asking the reader
to agree with you
4. Narrow the focus to your Thesis Statement
General
Specific
BODY OF THE PAPER
Paragraphs explaining, or arguing main
point . . .
1. The Body is the heart of your argument
2. Develop it logically, with natural progression of thought
3. Introduction moves swiftly to Thesis, take time to
develop each argument (One paragraph per argument).
4. Presentation should be specific, real and concrete
Tips in Developing Body of Paper
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
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Anticipate possible objections and deal
with them in the passive voice (Passive
voice = subject of sentence is inactive/
has action performed on it).
Positive aspects of paper should be in the
active voice (Active voice = subject of
sentence performs or causes action of
verb).
Begin with your weakest argument and
ascend to your strongest argument.
Moving from “lesser to greater.”
Four Patterns for Presenting An
Argument
Chronological – explains each item
in sequential order
 Comparison and Contrast –
similarities and/or differences
 Cause and Effect – Events or forces
that produce certain results
 Analysis – examining the component
parts

Chronological Example
Matt 18:15 "And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in
private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16
"But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with
you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE
WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. 17
"And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and
if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you
as a Gentile and a tax-gatherer.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Go and reprove in private
Go and take one or two witnesses
Go and take it to the church
If he repents not, treat as outcast
Comparison and Contrast
CALVINSIM
ARMINIANISM
Total Depravity
Depravity
Unconditional Election Election/foreordained
Limited Atonement
Unlimited Atonement
Irresistible Grace
Prevenient Grace
Perseverance
Lose Salvation
Cause and Effect
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Plant seed, and water them – plant grows
Play around with sin, your sin will find
you out
Civil War was caused by …
One can speculate on what the outcome would be, if
things were handled in a different way. For example:
What if Adam and Eve had not eaten the forbidden
fruit? Or, what if Jesus had decided to have His will and
not the Father’s in the Garden?
Analysis
Word Study – anoint/ anointing
 Exegesis of a particular passage

CONCLUSION
Concluding statement pointing back to Thesis
The Conclusion:
1. Moves the reader from the Thesis Statement back to the
broad Introduction
2. Reminds the reader what was read earlier and ties
everything together
In the Conclusion:
1. Do not list the points of your argument
2. Do reword your points using sharp, clear and concise
words building toward a final proof of the Thesis
3. Finish with a bang!
Preparing the First Rough Draft




Review Outline and Notes to ensure
continuity of thought between all three
parts of Paper
Have ample supplies on hand
Have an appropriate work space
Based on arranged Outline/Notes—Write
the Paper in one sitting, without stopping,
in the third person (Grammar is not
that important at this point)
Tips for Preparing a Rough Draft
Use a tape recorder to get first draft
 Write on every other line, or triple
space
 Tape long quotes on your note cards
to the rough draft.

Note: The Rough Draft is often shorter than the
required length of the finished product.
Step SEVEN: Rewrite and Polish
the Rough Draft

Reconcile the Outline to First Draft

Eliminate unclear statements

Look for gaps in continuity
Note: These three items need to occur before you
start working on the Second Draft.
The Second Draft
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
Total rewrite
Takes several sessions to complete
Time to choose exact words
Quotations should be carefully selected:


Direct (exactly as written/stands alone)
Indirect (integrates quotation into context of
thought expressed in a sentence or paragraph
in the Paper)
When to cite (document) a
source?
Any fact or opinion that you read in
one of the authoritative sources,
whether you first discovered the
idea or assimilated it, should be
documented.
 Two exceptions:

Common knowledge
 Facts easily verified

Fair Use Rule
Up to 150 words from a particular source can be
quoted without permission of the copyright holder.
When a quotation comprises a substantial
proportion of the source (more than 150 words),
permission needs to be sought.
Note: For a good discussion on quotations
see: http://www.nutsandbolts.washcoll.edu
Step EIGHT: Preparing the Final
Copy (Check List)
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Does the controlling idea (Thesis) govern everything?
Does the introduction prepare the reader?
Are the topic sentences clear and paragraphs fully
developed?
Are paragraphs logically arranged?
Do any sections repeat or contradict others?
Does the Paper read smoothly and maintain continuity of
thought from start to finish?
Does the Paper conclude strongly?
Is every source used documented (footnoted) properly?
Does the Bibliography only contain sources used?
Does the form and style conform to the standard/canon
(Turabian, Vyhmeister, Seminary Research and Writing
Manual)