Research Guides: CPS Online Library Research Guide (UNH Manchester Library): Preliminary Considerations

Do You Have a Strategy?

Your Research Strategy

All research begins with a question. That question becomes an idea. Developing that idea into a research paper requires creativity, diligence, and a good understanding of how the process works.

Developing that idea into a research paper requires:

Creativity in order to develop the idea into a question.
Ability and persistence to find the information you need in order answer the question.
Writing skills in order to turn your research into a readable and informative narrative.

How Long Will Your Library Research Assignment Take?

One of the most difficult challenges students often face is anticipating how long a research assignment might take. In general, they under estimate the length of time needed to complete the research portion of the assignment.

A few helpful hints:

Start EARLY: Don’t procrastinate. Start brainstorming your topic ideas. Write down several ideas because while you research, you may discover that some ideas will not come to fruition. You want to be able to identify which topic area will work best before it is too late to compile the appropriate resources. Did you know there is a strong link between procrastination and plagiarism? Don't be caught in either situation!
Check and double-check that your topic is in the realm of the assignment instructions. If you have concerns, check with your instructor. You do not want to put hours into developing a topic that does not meet the criteria assigned by your instructor.
Create a plan. Set dates for when you’ll need to complete certain tasks. Your instructor may have deadlines for certain parts of your paper. For example, you may need to complete a rough draft or annotated bibliography by a given date. You will find the page on Understanding the Assignment helpful at this stage.
Make use of online resources that can help you create a schedule and keep you on task: The Research Project Calculator is one such tool.

The Research Project Calculator

The University of Minnesota Libraries has developed a tool to help you. The calculator gives you a useful way to plan the time needed to work on an assignment — as well as helpful research and writing resources. Many academic libraries are using this tool. We have linked you to the calculator from Binghamton University Libraries because it is simple to use and provides a means for printing out your timeline.

Here is a great list of other online assignment calculators that you can try:

University of Minnesota -- Assignment Calculator
http://www.lib.umn.edu/help/calculator/
University of Arkansas -- Research Paper Wizard
http://libinfo.uark.edu/reference/wizard/