Here is one way to break down the assignment.
1. Read your assignment. What is expected?
2. Pick a topic.
3. Write your Thesis Statement.
4. Find your information sources. More than what is required is better. You can always eliminate sources.
5. Possibly revise your Thesis Statement.
6. Write an Outline.
7. Review your sources for supporting quotes and paraphrased information. Write note cards.
8. Create References page.
9. Write a draft.
10. Edit draft and spell check.
11. Ask someone to proof-read your paper.
12. Revise and complete. Yes it is finished!!
These links further discuss the research paper process.
Check the following call number areas for this topic:
LB 2369
PE 1480
English for Writing Research Papers by 
Exploring Writing : sentences and paragraphs COURSE RESERVE by
Exploring Writing emphasizes personalized learning. Powered by Connect Writing, students gain access to an adaptive personalized learning plan which helps them become more aware of what they already know and what they need to practice.
Writing Research Papers by
The definitive research paper guide, Writing Research Papers combines a traditional and practical approach to the research process with the latest information on electronic research and presentation. This market-leading text provides students with step-by-step guidance through the research writing process, from selecting and narrowing a topic to formatting the finished document. Writing Research Papers backs up its instruction with the most complete array of samples of any writing guide of this nature. The text continues its extremely thorough and accurate coverage of citation styles for a wide variety of disciplines. The fourteenth edition maintains Lester's successful approach while bringing new writing and documentation updates to assist the student researcher in keeping pace with electronic sources.
Writing the Literature Review : a practical guide by
This accessible text provides a roadmap for producing a high-quality literature review--an integral part of a successful thesis, dissertation, term paper, or grant proposal. Each step of searching for, evaluating, analyzing, and synthesizing prior studies is clearly explained and accompanied by user-friendly suggestions, organizational tips, vignettes, and examples of student work. Also featured are excerpts from peer-reviewed quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods articles. This is the first book to focus on crafting different types of reviews (systematic, traditional-narrative, or hermeneutic-phenomenological) that reflect the writer's research question, methodological choices, and approaches to knowledge. It describes what all reviews have in common and highlights distinct characteristics of each type. The book includes dos and don'ts for evaluating studies and constructing an argument, and software suggestions for locating, organizing, and arranging sources. Pedagogical Features *Checklists and "To Do" activities that break down key steps to take. *Boxed examples, graphics that organize and visually illustrate key concepts, and summary tables. *Group activities that invite students to further explore and apply the methods discussed in each chapter. *Detailed directions for using four different organizing strategies: synthesis matrix, summary table, mapping, and topic outline. *End-of-chapter summaries and "What's Next" sections. *Assessment matrices for reviewing and refining the completed literature review. Winner (First Place)--American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award, Nursing Research Category