Research Paper
Librarians are here to help! Request an in-person meeting or email your questions to either Mrs. Mellin (fmellin [at]pikeschool.org), Ms. Block (dblock[at]pikeschool.org), or library[at]pikeschool.org. Your public library also offers help via email and in some cases, live chat.
Choose Your Topic
A "just right" topic will have several important aspects to explore, but not be too broad. Choose something you are interested in.
Create a Thesis Statement
A good thesis states what you believe and what you plan to prove.
See your teacher to get your thesis approved.
Try this thesis generator if you want more help.
Gather Your Sources
You must use a minimum number of sources. Check your assignment for the exact number. Using a variety of sources, from print books to databases and authoritative websites, will give you both broad knowledge about your topic and provide evidence to support your thesis.
Pro tip: always log in to NoodleTools before starting your research session.
Books - Print and Digital
Use online catalogs to find books in local libraries.
Search for digitized books on Google Books. Millions of books in the public domain and portions of in-copyright works are here.
Sora is Pike's e-reading and digital audio platform. Read on the web or in the app. Setup directions (pdf)
Powered by Overdrive, and available through our subscription to the Massachusetts Library System's eBook Program.
Newspaper Article Archives
Databases
Have a specialized topic related to arts, education, or science? More databases are here.
Pro tip: you can search the U.S. and World History databases simultaneously.
Online Magazine
Information on many academic topics.
A password is needed for home access (available on the passkey page or through Google Classroom).
Primary Source Material
These are documents that were created by witnesses or first recorders of events written when the event occurred. These are good websites for primary source information.
Websites
After using encyclopedias, books, and databases, you may still need or want more information. When you search the internet, you must be the one who evaluates the credibility of a website. Be a critical consumer of information.
Build Your Bibliography
Pike's online citation manager has several helpful features. You can import print source information as well as Gale database article information. When creating citations, NoodleTools templates prompt you to fill in information based on the type of source you have. Use the ? icon to get pop-up explanations if you are unsure what to do.
Take Notes
- Number your notes to correspond with your sources.
- Record information accurately.
- Use your own words – do not copy directly from the text.
- If using a direct quote or citing a little-known fact, write down the page number.
- Remember - using someone else's words without giving credit is plagiarism.
Organize Your Information
The next step is to organize your notes into an outline. NoodleTools has an excellent outline template. Outlines help you create a thoughtful, logical paper.
Begin Writing
Using your notes and your outline as a guide, begin writing. Remember to write in organized paragraphs with clear topic sentences.
When Should I Cite?
Parenthetical Notation
Print Your Bibliography
Your bibliography is an alphabetical list of all the sources you used for your project. It needs to follow a specific format. NoodleTools will format your bibliography correctly. If you have questions please see one of the librarians.
Review Your Work
- Proofread all parts of your project, including your bibliography.
- Double check the project instructions.
- Use the assessment guide to make certain you've completed all parts of the project.
You're Done!
Congratulations! You successfully navigated a long-term assignment with many components.