The principles discussed in this part can be applied to all types of research topics, reports, papers and dissertations, and their writing processes are similar. The general steps of preparing a research paper are (1) selecting a topic, (2) preparing reference materials, (3) collecting materials, (4) outlining, (5) writing a draft, and (6) preparing a final draft. Of course, the writing of research papers does not have to be in strict order. You can walk back and forth or do two steps at the same time.

1. 1 topic selection

The topic selection involves an overview of the subject field, the limitation and narrowing of the topic, and the topic as a statement of the problem or hypothesis. In the process of doing research, you will perfect all the decisions and conceive one or more first draft sentences.

1. 1. 1 project field overview

Tutors sometimes designate a broad field of study. The tutor may designate a topic, list some possible topics, or let the author choose a topic freely in a wide range of fields. Once this task is announced, you should start to consider the possible topics of this paper. If graduate students can start collecting possible series of thesis topics at the early stage of study, they can choose some graduate courses that are beneficial to the knowledge needed for these topics and try their own ideas in the report or thesis of the research group.

Even in some mature fields studied by other scholars, we can often find the possibility of further research. Scholars sometimes hint at areas that have not been discussed or solved in their work, and this information usually appears in comments. Sometimes, usually listed but unconfirmed conclusions, or new methods to test basic assumptions will provide research on this topic. Thinking about the technical terms in your topic can produce innovative ways to explain it and even give it a new definition. Contradictions or splits between different books on the same subject can also produce possible topics. The current published books or the development of the current direction can provide a new understanding of ontology, thus creating opportunities for in-depth research.

1. 1.2 paper definition

Once you decide on the topic, you should consider the following factors: your interest in the topic, your ability (especially if the topic is controversial), the time to complete the task, etc. Estimate the possibility according to the following criteria: importance and interest, operability and available resources. You must not want to open a topic that you are not interested in, which is meaningless, unrealistic and impossible to complete the task within the specified time.

Importance and interest are natural, and you want to devote your time to a very important and interesting topic. To some extent, importance and interest are subjective judgments, which depend on the nature of the task and the needs of the tutor. Of course, a topic that seems to be of little use to human beings in one research field may be of great significance to experts in another field. Your tutor is convinced of the importance of your topic, and your paper should convince readers that it is really important.

Sometimes, an obviously important topic, such as gun control, may not be a good topic. If a large number of public debates limit your originality, or your strong feelings will hinder you from studying opposing views, so that you can't get a fair conclusion.

Operability carefully defining a topic will make your research successful. If a topic is too vague, too broad, too narrow or too professional, you will find it difficult to find enough suitable information. A topic that is too broad to give enough research direction may make you have to deal with it superficially. If a topic is too narrow, you will get insufficient information, which limits your ability to draw completely valid conclusions. If a subject is too specialized, it needs knowledge that you can't reach within the time allocated by the project. For example, you may not choose a subject that requires a lot of statistics unless you have some data background or you can consult a statistics professional. Of course, in the end, readers will judge the operability of your topic through the treatment methods you give, because a good paper depends not only on the content, but also on the scope.

Available resources Even if a subject is worth studying and operable, it is not appropriate if there are no available research resources. Available resources such as the library where you work and other libraries or electronic materials will affect your choice of topics. If your research paper needs a measurement or an experiment, you must determine whether you can collect the required data within the limited time of the task.

The central idea of 1. 1.3.

Depending on the nature of the topic, you may want to put your topic as a question or a hypothesis. In order to understand

Research papers in humanities and social sciences usually help stimulate exploratory research by conceiving topics in the form of questions.

-What is the psychological effect of computer-assisted instruction?

-How does Hirsch's concept of "cultural literacy" affect educational goals?

-Did the end of the Cold War affect the patriotic performance of the United States?

When you have conceived these questions, you should study and explore all possible answers.

When you collect information, you may find that you asked the wrong question, or you are more interested in other related questions. If so, you can correct this problem. When you do research, you can also narrow down this problem. The psychological effect of computer-assisted instruction can be simplified as focusing on foreign language teaching, even a specific language, or even a specific program for learning a foreign language. You can limit your attention to university teachers, primary school teachers or the general public to reduce the impact of the concept of "cultural literacy" on educational goals. Even in the early work, you can start to conceive possible answers in the first draft. As you continue to explore the topic, you may have to give up or refine it.

For some research fields, especially those involving experimental or descriptive research, you may want to present your thesis in a hypothetical way, that is, you will try to use some experimental explanations or arguments.

Students writing on the computer is very different from writing by hand or typewriter.

The decline in the exchange rate between the US dollar and major foreign currencies will not affect the US economy.

Most scientists believe that the earth is experiencing the process of global warming.

Prime-time TV programs should (should not) censor pornography and violence.

When doing research, you will find that you will need to modify the hypothetical method many times to make the information reasonable. For example, the author of the example "Is the book out of date?" Firstly, it is assumed that with the rapid development of computer technology, electronic materials will soon replace printed books. After doing some research, she came to the conclusion that her initial assumption was wrong.