Writing a research paper can be intimidating. Where to start? What resources can help me? In this guide you will find links, videos, and helpful hints to beginning your research and following it through to completion. 

There are essentially 10 steps to writing a research paper: 

1. Choose a topic
2. Read and Keep Records
3. Form a thesis
4. Create a mind map or outline
5. Read again
6. Rethink your thesis
7. Draft the body of your paper
8. Revise
9. Add the beginning (introduction) and the end (summary)
10. Proofread and Edit

This is one of many ways to structure your research process.  You can adapt or modify the steps to meet your needs. 

The list above recommends writing the introduction and summary at the end of your research process, when the main body of your paper is nearing completion.  The reasoning for this provides for adaptations to your thesis as you read and revise your research process.  Following are some helpful hints in the research process. 

1. Choosing your Topic

Choosing a Research Paper Topic 

2. Read, and Keep Records

When you have a Research Topic in mind, go through some of the resources available to you on the topic. Use library resources as well as the internet to fine tune your subject.  Try some mind mapping on your topic to create keywords for your search. This will also help to narrow or broaden your topic for composing your thesis. 

What does it mean to be a Scholarly Source?

3. Form a thesis

Write a well defined, focused three-to-five point thesis statement. Be prepared to revise it as your research leads you through greater knowledge on your subject.  This is a vital step that controls the direction and development of your research paper. 

4. Create an Outline (mind map your research)

Consider the following questions in creating your outline: 

• Who is concerned or cares about your topic? 
• What points do you want to make in support of your thesis? What are some things that influence or are influenced by the topic?
• Where are the interesting, important, or provocative points, including your own ideas? Establish their relevance to your topic.
• Why is your topic important? Why do you want to research this topic?
• When was or is the topic relevant?

The objective is to group ideas in logically related groups. This becomes an outline for writing about your research topic. You may revise this mind map/outline anytime. It is easier to cross out sections or move them around than to start over. 

Acceptable A.I. Use in your courses

What does it mean? 

There are many types of Artificial Intelligence tools that may help you in your studies.  Tools such as those that help with spelling, anticipate the end of a sentence, suggest grammatical changes, or provide citations are some.  Generative A.I. is different. Generative A.I. can generate high quality text, images, and other content based on the data it is trained on.  

Always ask your professor if you have questions about permissions to use A.I. 

Generative A.I. Tools

Generative A.I. tools are regulated by Chadron State College through the Academic Honesty Policy.  This policy states that the use of A.I. platforms or content is specified individually by each course. The A.I. parameters for use of artificial intelligence tools is given in each course syllabus.  The types of parameters include, and are described fully in the syllabus: 

1. Unrestricted Use - the use of generative A.I. tools is neither encouraged nor prohibited on assignments. 
2. Use Allowed Under Specific Circumstances - students are allowed to use generative A.I. tools in this course under some circumstances specified in the assignment.
3. Use Prohibited Entirely - the use of generative A.I. tools is expressly prohibited.  

Use of generative A.I. tools against specified parameters may constitute a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy. Use the following chart to evaluate potential use of generative A.I. Tools: 

Our library boasts a diverse and extensive collection of resources tailored to support the business curriculum. This includes a wide range of academic journals and databases which provide students with access to current research and findings in the business world.

• Chronicle of Higher Education
• The Chronicle of Higher Education is the No. 1 source of news, information, and jobs for college and university faculty members and administrators.  The Chronicle is published every weekday and is the top destination for news, advice, and jobs for people in academe.  The Chronicle's website features the complete contents of the latest issue; daily news and advice columns; thousands of current job listings; an archive of previously published content; vibrant discussion forums; and career-building tools such as online CV management, salary databases, and more.
• Inside Higher Ed
• Inside Higher Ed is an online source for news, opinion and jobs for higher education. The site contains breaking news and feature stories, provocative daily commentary, areas for comment on every article, practical career columns, and a powerful suite of tools to help higher education professionals get jobs and colleges identify and hire employees. 
• New York Times
• The New York Times contains “all the news that’s fit to print.” The paper, founded in 1851, has won more Pulitzer Prizes than any
• other news organization and is widely considered to be the newspaper of record. Patrons will have access to all article content found within the Times—over 15.2 million articles—as well as the NYTimes magazine, photo exposés, blogs, and video content. Users must register and log in to their nytimes.com account for full access.
• Academic Search Premier - EBSCO
• Academic Search Premier offers full-text access to over 3,900 academic journals, providing users access to critical information from many unique sources. Scholarly content covers a broad range of important areas of academic study, from anthropology to engineering, law to the hard sciences.
• Google Scholar
• Google Scholar enables you to search specifically for scholarly literature, including peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, preprints, abstracts and technical reports from all broad areas of research.
• SAGE Premier
• This resource includes international, peer-reviewed journals of several of subject areas, including business, humanities, social sciences, and science, technology, and medicine. Also includes access to 570+ SAGE journal titles, comprising over 292,000 full-text articles.
• Business Source Premier
• Business Source Premier provides full text for more than 2,300 journals, including full text for more than 1,100 peer-reviewed titles. This database provides full text back to 1886, and searchable cited references back to 1998. Business Source Premier has full text coverage in all disciplines of business, including marketing, management, MIS, POM, accounting, finance and economics. This database is updated daily on EBSCOhost.
• JSTOR
• Complete archives of journal articles in the Arts & Sciences, Language and Literature, and Business. 

The library subscribes academic and professional journals providing access to current research and business trends. Some key journals include:

• Business Education Forum
• Consumer Reports
• Economist
• Fortune
• Journal of Educational Technology Systems
• Journal of Research in Business Education
• National Business Education Association Membership
• Principal Leadership
• School Administrator
• School Business Leader

We have a strong collection of print books and e-books covering essential business disciplines such as economics, finance management, marketing and public relations. Our e-book collection is accessible via our online catalog ensuring that students and faculty can access materials remotely.

 The King Library subscribes to a number of online, peer-reviewed academic journals relevant to business studies.

Other Library Services and Resources

• Study Spaces
• Equipped study areas and meeting rooms are available for individual and group work, including collaborative workstations with whiteboard tabletops.
• Textbook Reserves
• Print reserve materials are available for 2-hour checkout, in-house use.
• Purchase Requests
• Online purchase requests are available for faculty to request materials to supplement their discipline and curriculum.
• Inter-Library Loan Information
• Books and other materials not owned by the King Library may be requested from other libraries.
• Copyright Fair Use for Faculty Information
• Creative Commons Licenses Information
• Style Manuals and Citation Guides and Tutorials
• Copyright and Academic Integrity Information
• Navigating Library Resources Information
• Finding and Developing Research Topics Tutorials
• Scholarly Articles and Database Information
• Library Tours for classes
• Class Instruction Sessions
• Ask a Librarian
• We offer an online email function for online (and on-campus) students and faculty to for research questions and/or any library related question.
• Reciprocal borrowing partnership with local library.
• Students, faculty and staff have borrowing rights with the local Public Library and community members who have a public library card have borrowing rights at the King Library.

We believe our services are integral to supporting academic excellence and enhancing the educational experience of our students. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me.Shawn Hartman, BA, MA, MLSOutreach LibrarianKing Library, Room 204308.432.7059shartman@yueziqi.com.

Other Library Services and Resources

• Study Spaces
• Equipped study areas and meeting rooms are available for individual and group work, including collaborative workstations with whiteboard tabletops.
• Textbook Reserves
• Print reserve materials are available for 2-hour checkout, in-house use.
• Purchase Requests
• Online purchase requests are available for faculty to request materials to supplement their discipline and curriculum.
• Inter-Library Loan Information
• Books and other materials not owned by the King Library may be requested from other libraries.
• Copyright Fair Use for Faculty Information
• Creative Commons Licenses Information
• Style Manuals and Citation Guides and Tutorials
• Copyright and Academic Integrity Information
• Navigating Library Resources Information
• Finding and Developing Research Topics Tutorials
• Scholarly Articles and Database Information
• Library Tours for classes
• Class Instruction Sessions
• Ask a Librarian
• We offer an online email function for online (and on-campus) students and faculty to for research questions and/or any library related question.
• Reciprocal borrowing partnership with local library.
• Students, faculty and staff have borrowing rights with the local Public Library and community members who have a public library card have borrowing rights at the King Library.

We believe our services are integral to supporting academic excellence and enhancing the educational experience of our students. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me.

Shawn Hartman, BA, MA, MLS
Outreach Librarian
King Library, Room 204
308.432.7059

shartman@yueziqi.com.

Special Education Resources and Links 

• MTSS-Multi-tiered Systems of Support - Center on Multi-Tiered System of Supports: A national leader in supporting states, districts, and schools across the country in implementing an MTSS framework that integrates data and instruction within a multi-level prevention system to maximize student achievement and support students' social, emotional, and behavior needs from a strengths-based perspective. Free website. 
• Teaching Exceptional Children - Feature articles dealing with practical methods and materials for classroom use aimed at teachers of children with disabilities and children who are gifted; an official journal of the Council for Exceptional Children - available both online and in print through the King Library.

Education - general

• Journal of Teacher Education - The mission of the the flagship journal of AACTE, is to serve as a research forum for a diverse group of scholars invested in the preparation and continued support of teachers who can have a significant voice in discussions and decision-making. Its content focuses on policy, practice, and research along numerous themes, including accreditation, assessment and evaluation, extended programs, teacher educators, student teaching and others. 
• Journal of Educational Psychology - Publishes original, primary psychological research pertaining to education across all ages and educational levels. A secondary purpose is the occasional publication of exceptionally important meta-analysis articles that are pertinent to educational psychology. 
• Review of Educational Research - publishes critical, integrative reviews of research literature bearing on education, including conceptualizations, interpretations, and synthesis of literature and scholarly work in a field broadly relevant to education and educational research.
• Educational Researcher - publishes scholarly articles that are of general significance to the education research community and that come from a wide range of areas of education research and related disciplines. 
• Learning and Instruction - an international, multi-disciplinary, peer-refereed journal. The journal provides a platform for the publication of the most advanced scientific research in the areas of learning, instruction, teaching and development.
• The Rural Educator - As the official journal of the National Rural Education Association, The Rural Educator serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas among the rural education community. The journal aims to provide a greater understanding of the strengths and needs of rural education and to provide rural educators with resources that support their work. The King Library receives a print subscription to this journal. 
• eBook: Street Data: A Next-generation Model for Equity, Pedagogy, and School Transformation, by Shane Safir, Jamila Dugan, with Carrie Wilson, 2021
• eBook: Cultivating a Classroom of Calm: How to promote student engagement and self regulation, by Meredith McNerney
• eBook: Why don't students like school? A cognitive scientist answers questions about how the mind works and what it means for the classroom, by Daniel T. Willingham, 2021

Technology in Education

• Journal of Educational Technology Systems - deals with systems in which technology and education interface and is designed to inform educators who are interested in making optimum use of technology. More importantly, the Journal focuses on techniques and curriculum that utilize technology in all types of educational systems. The King Library also has a print subscription to this Journal. 

Music Teachers

• Music Educators Journal - offers peer-reviewed scholarly and practical articles on music teaching approaches and philosophies, instructional techniques, current trends and issues in music education in schools and communities and the latest products and services. The King Library also has a print subscription to this journal. 

Mathematics Teachers

• Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12 - an official journal of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, devoted to improving mathematics instruction from grade 8-14 and supporting teacher education programs. It provides a forum for sharing activities and pedagogical strategies, deepening understanding of mathematical ideas, and linking mathematics education to research and practice. The King Library has a print subscription to this journal. 
• INTOMath - Improve your results with their online math help platform, containing grade and topic specific math video lessons, notes, online math practice and online math forum. Free website. 
• eBook: Engaging in Culturally Relevant Math Tasks: Fostering hope in the elementary classroom by Lou Edward Matthews, 2022
• eBook: Rough Draft Math: revising to learn by Amanda Jansen, 2020

Physical Education Teachers

• Journal of Teaching in Physical Education JTPE - features peer-reviewed research articles based on classroom and laboratory studies, descriptive and survey studies, summary and review articles, and discussion of current topics of interest to physical educators at every level. JTPE is endorsed by the Curriculum and Instruction Academy of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education and the International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education. The King Library has a print subscription to this journal.

English and Language Arts Teachers

• English Journal - the National Council of Teachers of English award-winning journal of ideas for English language arts teachers in junior and senior high schools and middle schools. It presents information on the teaching of writing and reading, literature, and language, and includes information on how teachers are applying practices, research and multimodal literacies in their classrooms. The King Library also has a print subscription to this journal. 
• Language Arts - provides a forum for discussions on all aspects of language arts learning and teaching, primarily as they relate to children in re-kindergarten through eighth grade. Issues discuss both theory and classroom practice, highlight current research and review children's and young adolescent literature, as well as classroom and professional materials of interest to language arts educators. The King Library also has a print subscription to this journal. 
• College English - is the professional journal for the college scholar-teacher. CE publishes articles about literature, rhetoric-composition, critical theory, creative writing theory and pedagogy, linguistics, literacy, reading theory, pedagogy, and professional issues related to the teaching of English. The King Library also has a print subscription to this journal. 
• Research in the Teaching of English - is an archival research journal of the highest standards incorporating a broad range of epistemologies and ontologies that builds the research base and theoretical base for the fields of language arts education, literacy education, biliteracy education, and literature education, in and out of classroom contexts, from birth through adulthood, inclusive of grades preschool through graduate education and in teacher education. The King Library also has a print subscription to this journal. 
• eBook: The Reading Mind: A cognitive approach to understanding how the mind reads, by Daniel T. Willingham, 2017.

Business Teaching

• The Journal of Research in Business Education - the journal of the National Business Education Association, Council for Business Teaching and Research. In addition to original research in business disciplines and business teacher preparation or business teaching and learning, the journal provides applied research in business disciplines at the K-12 or post secondary level, business education teacher preparation, international business/global business. 

School Administration

• School Administrator - The American Association of School Administrator's (AASA.org) award-winning magazine provides big-picture perspectives on broad range of issues in school system leadership and resources to support the effective operation of schools nationwide. The King Library also has a print subscription to this journal. 
• Journal of Scholarship & Practice - The American Association of School Administrator's (AASA.org) refereed, blind-reviewed, quarterly journal with a focus on research and evidence-based practice that advances the profession of education administration. This e-journal is a benefit of CSC's membership with the AASA through the King Library.

Reading is a vital part of the K-12 teaching requirement.  The Science of Reading provides an Evidence-Based, General Literacy guideline for teaching reading in the classroom and beyond. 

What is the Science of Reading:

The Science of Reading

Put the Science of Reading in Action: Best Practices for Reading Instruction

The Science of Reading A Defining Movement - a publication of The Reading League, 2022

eBooks: 

Shifting the Balance, Grades K-2: 6 ways to bring the Science of Reading into the balanced literacy classroom, by Jan Burkins and Kari Yates, 2021 

Brain Words: How the Science of Reading informs teaching, by J. Richard Gentry and Gene P. Ouellette, 2019

Articles:

• The Science of Reading: A Handbook, edited by Margaret J. Snowling, Charles Hulme, Kate Nation, 2022
• The Science of Reading: Supports, Critiques, and Questions, by Amanda P. Goodwin, Robert T. Jimenez, Reading Research Quarterly, Vol. 55, Issue 51, September 2020
• How the Science of Reading Informs 21st Century Education, by The Florida Center for Reading Research, Florida State University, 2020
• Separating Fact from Fiction about the Science of Reading: New literacy briefs correct common myths and misconceptions, from Harvard Graduate School of Education, Usable Knowledge, by Elizabeth M. Ross, June 27, 2024

Online Resources: 

• The Science of Reading: The Basics | National Center on Improving Literacy
• Separating Fact from Fiction About the Science of Reading | Harvard Graduate School of Education
• Professional Learning Resources - Nebraska Department of Education
• Content Area Standards - Nebraska Department of Education
• Nebraska State Literacy Association - Science of Reading 
• NebraskaREADS - Nebraska Department of Education
• Literacy in Nebraska - Nebraska Center for the Book

News articles

• The "Multiverse" of the Science of Reading - NEA News, by Grace Hagerman, Contributor, October 4, 2024
• First of its kind report on dyslexia, reading unveiled at Nebraska Department of Education - Nebraska Examiner, October 1, 2024, by Zach Wendling
• National report ranks Nebraska 'weak' in implementing science of reading policies - The Grand Island Independent, Jan. 16, 2024 by Lauren Wagner, Omaha World-Herald. 

Journals - 

Family and Consumer Sciences Journal 

Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal covers the richness, diversity and interdisciplinarity that characterize family and consumer sciences today. This Journal publishes cutting-edge research relevant to family and consumer sciences professionals, practitioners, researchers, and students, with a unique focus on areas of family and consumer sciences concerned with the well-being of individuals and families. 

Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences

The official publication of the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). The journal contains scholarly peer-reviewed articles, practical information geared toward family and consumer sciences professionals, and news and information about AAFCS. Published 4 times a year. 

This guide is prepared for students who are planning to write a psychology research paper.  The resources can be used by the beginning student in learning to research and write to the graduate level researcher. 

The Concise Guides to Conducting Behavioral, Health, and Social Science Research:

Conducting your Literature Review   Designing and Proposing your Research Project  How to Interview and Conduct Focus Groups

Managing your Research Data                 Selecting and Describing your Research       Writing your Psychology Research Paper

Other Online Research Tools:

Electronic Books:

 An Easyguide to APA Style, 2012 (downloadable)                                                                                                     

DSM-5 Guidebook: The Essential Companion to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, 2014

Casebook for DSM-5: Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, 2017

Study Guide to DSM-5, 2015

DSM-5 Casebook and Treatment Guide for Child Mental Health, 2017

DSM-5 Pocket Guide for Elder Mental Health, 2017

DSM-5 Handbook on the Cultural Formulation Interview, 2015

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5):

The most comprehensive, current, and critical resource for clinical practice available to today's mental health clinicians and researchers of all orientations. DSM-5 is used by health professionals, social workers, and forensic and legal specialists to diagnose and classify mental disorders, and is the product of more than 10 years of effort by hundreds of international experts in all aspects of mental health. The criteria are concise and explicit, intended to facilitate an objective assessment of symptom presentations in a variety of clinical settings - inpatient, outpatient, partial hospital, consultation-liaison, clinical, private-practice, and primary care.

Peer-reviewed Journal article resources:

APA Psych Articles 

APA Psych Articles from the American Psychological Association (APA is a definitive source of full text, peer-reviewed scholarly and scientific articles in psychology. It includes all journal articles, book reviews, letters to the editor, and errata from multiple journals spanning from 1894 to the present.  

Science Direct

Elsevier's Science Direct offers a large collection of Social Sciences and Humanities journals and books, highlighting historical context, current developments, theories, applications, trends and more. 

Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection  is a comprehensive database covering information concerning topics in emotional and behavioral characteristics, psychiatry & psychology, mental processes, anthropology, and observational & experimental methods. This is the world's largest full text psychology database offering full text coverage for nearly 400 journals. 

Psychology & Counseling - Sage Journals 

Sage Psychology and Counseling offers innovative resource spanning the breadth of Psychology and Counseling sub-disciplines including Developmental, Child and Family, Clinical, Social, Cognitive, Counseling and much more. 

Wiley Online Library 

Today's research, tomorrow's innovation. 

JSTOR

JSTOR's psychology and other social and behavioral science journals include thousands of articles, books, and research reports.  

Academic Search Premier

This multi-disciplinary database provides active full text for more than 3,100 journals, including active full text for nearly 2,750 peer-reviewed journals. 

APA Style Guide websites: 

• Purdue OWL - APA Formatting and Style Guide 7th Edition
• APA Style - from the American Psychological Association
• Use the CITE button in the databases you use to access your research materials! Then copy and paste the citation, clean it up and go! 
• Use a citation builder:   NCSU Citation Builder,  KnightCite
• Visit the Library! We have multiple copies of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association for you to check out. 
• Talk to a writing Tutor in the The Learning Lab

Data Set Links for Psychology:

• APA Links to data sets and repositories
• Assessment Psychology Online
• Classics in the History of Psychology
• Personality Project
• U.S. Administration for Community Living: Behavioral Health
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention: Mental Health
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention: Mental Health and Disasters
• U.S. National Center for Health Statistics: Fastats: Mental Health
• U.S. National Institute of Mental Health
• U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• World Health Organization: Mental Health