Useful Tips on How to Find Good Research Paper Sources

Extensive research is vital for academic writing as it helps you support your claims, overcoming the idea that your essay was based on biased arguments. Unfortunately, there is a myriad of sources to sift from for any selected topic.

Also, some sources do not count as great resources for academic papers. this article will analyse the criteria for credible sources for research, tips for finding good books for research papers and analyse the number of sources to use for a research paper.

What is a credible source?

A credible source for academic research papers is free of bias and based on scientific research. These sources are thus published by government agencies, research institutions, or educational bodies dedicated to a particular topic.

The sources for academic writing should not advertise any product or service as this may present a conflict of interest where information that is detrimental to the brand is not fully divulged. Your research sources may thus comprise journals, books, and websites with a. Edu or a .gov extension.

Also, information on websites such as the WHO, the UN, the Census Bureau, and other agencies can be used when writing about a topic related to the agency.

How to find sources for a research paper

Finding relevant resources in the sea of information on a particular topic may often prove a challenging task. However, extensive research exposes you to a wide range of good books to research, while expanding your knowledge on a given topic. these steps should come in handy to help you find relevant sources for a research paper.

1. Run a Wikipedia search

Before we proceed, you should know that Wikipedia is generally frowned upon when it comes to academic writing. this is because Wikipedia can be edited by anyone and thus does not assure you the credibility of the facts contained within the article.

However, you can use Wikipedia as a starting point for your research. For this, find a page that is relevant to your research point and check the cited materials that touch on your specific subject.

2. Use a referencing tool

Unlike Wikipedia, referencing tools can easily guide you toward a myriad of sources for research papers. When using a referencing tool, feed your key phrase into the website and specify the type of resource you are seeking.

This approach will yield a vast range of sources relating to your topic, saving you from reading a vast range of general books that barely touch on your research topic.

3. Consult your librarian

Your librarian is a great resource for your research papers. As such, be sure to consult your librarian on the available materials for your topic. This will save you from strenuous trips to the library in a bid to find sources relating to your topic.

How to use sources in a research paper

When writing a research paper, it is crucial to acknowledge all the authors of the sources used. Poorly acknowledging the authors of your papers may result in plagiarism, exposing you to multiple repercussions.

As such, ensure to include in-text citations where needed and to make an entry for each source in your works cited section. Also, paraphrase sources before inserting them in your work or quote the parts of an essay that have been used verbatim.

How many sources for a research paper

The number of sources to use for a research paper depends on the faculty guidelines and the length and complexity of your essay. However, most institutions do not recommend a specific number of sources, leaving you with the task of establishing the ideal range for your work.

Ideally, use a source to only support a claim within your paper. Avoid stuffing your paper with unnecessary quotes as this may limit original arguments, resulting in a low score.

40 Communication Paper Topics and Writing Guide

Are you confused about where to start your communication analysis paper? For many first-timers, a communication paper may seem an arduous task. Besides the consideration required for topic selection, you also have to conduct extensive research to present strong claims for your case.

This article will analyse the steps for writing a communication research paper and highlight communication paper topics to inspire your topic selection.

How to write a communication theory paper

A poor approach to writing your paper risks an ill-targeted paper and struggles with various issues in the latter essay writing stages. When writing your communication research essay:

1. Select a topic

Often, your tutor may assign you a broad research topic requiring you to narrow down your focus to a subject that interests you within the wider subject. When choosing a topic, settle for one that you are properly versed in, making for smooth research and an intrinsic drive to write your paper.

For this, brainstorm various ideas within the general subject and conduct your preliminary research. The preliminary research will expose you to the emerging issues within your field ensuring a unique research paper on communication.

2. Conduct extensive research

After identifying possible research topics, conduct a further analysis of the existing literature to identify the background of various topics. Interaction with these documents will expose you to multiple perspectives on the topic, widening your arguments and giving you a better view of the research gaps within a given subject. 

Also, pay focus to materials addressing the topics you had listed in the previous stage. Preferably, settle for a topic with adequate sources to support your arguments to overcome the assumption that your essay is based on biased claims.

3. Prepare an outline

After research, connect the points you gathered during research into a coherent argument divided into various paragraphs. An outline for short communication paper should outline all the ideas sorting them into an introduction, the body, and a conclusion.

Conversely, larger papers may require outlines for each section, allowing you to hone in on the details for each section of your paper. Besides keeping you on track with your arguments, the outline comes in handy for editing as it can be compared against your reverse outline to see how well you addressed your research objectives.

4. Drafting and editing 

After outlining, expand on various ideas in your essay in an engaging way that brings out an appealing case for your claims. However, your draft is not the final copy of your paper as it requires multiple revisions to ensure that it adheres to various guidelines provided by your instructor. 

Communication paper topics

Business communication topics for research paper

1. Can a father take paternity leave while still working? 
2. Corporate ethics and their significance in today’s business 
3. Workplace sexual harassment legislation 
4. How does NDA benefit commerce? 
5. The nation’s native culture and immigrant entrepreneurs’ business morals? 
6. Does providing a calming space for employees make any sense? 
7. How can the business prevent sexual harassment claims? 
8. Why don’t businesses advertise their goods in colleges and schools? 

Communication research paper topics

9. How does technology affect how people communicate with one another? 
10. How to get around student communication obstacles 
11. Examine the numerous ways that siblings interact behaviourally. 
12. Graphics’ effect on communication techniques 
13. The importance of gestures and eye contact in interpersonal communication 
14. measures to increase meeting attendance 
15. Increasing your self-esteem to communicate effectively 
16. Communication’s role in long-distance relationships 

Intercultural communication topics research paper

17. Effective Intercultural Communication Challenges 
18. Successful Intercultural Communication at Work 
19. Examine the impact of culture on interpersonal communication. 
20. Effects of interaction mediated by computers 
21. The function of artifacts in cross-cultural dialogue 
22. Examine critically how intercultural interaction is facilitated by translation. 
23. The media’s role in fostering intercultural harmony 
24. How intercultural communication has led to assimilation and integration 

Interpersonal communication paper topics

25. What functions do diction and vocabulary serve in verbal communication? 
26. How can I use verbal communication to become a better orator? 
27. Virtual reality interpersonal communication. 
28. The function of body language and gestures in business customer communication. 
29. What are the interpersonal relational communication theory’s key tenets? 
30. Is drama a useful technique for communication? 
31. Important aspects of effective communication for company success 
32. How to choose the most effective communication strategy for your intended audience 

Research paper topics for communication majors

33. Is the future of contemporary media in virtual reality? 
34. What impact has the internet had on communication? 
35. laws governing mass media in many nations 
36. What do journalism communication ethics entail? 
37. How to synchronize your motions and words to improve communication with others 
38. Communication barriers in language and speech 
39. Effectiveness of nonverbal communication 
40. In the study of interpersonal communication, self-disclosure

10 Solid Tips on How to Format a College Paper

Formatting a research paper properly is crucial to ensuring a great score for your essay. Unfortunately, many students struggle with writing a paper for college, owing to the limited amount of time at their disposal and unfamiliarity with various aspects of formatting academic papers. 

Read on for tips to format your essay, ensuring a neat document that adheres to various guidelines without much struggle. 

How to format a college paper

1. Revisit your paper’s guidelines

The key to proper formatting is to revisit the guidelines of the paper and note the elements to prioritize in your editing stage. For this, pay attention to the referencing style, the prescribed spacing, and other general document settings.

If none are provided, you should settle for a standard double-spaced paper with 1-inch margins and a standard font type, size 12. Ideally, jot these guidelines on a piece of paper for guidance and easy revision as you edit your work.

2. Record sources as you go

Referencing is a key component of the college writing format. Besides in-text citations, your works cited section may differ depending on the referencing style you settle for. Ideally, clarify your referencing style and record your sources with all necessary information for your format. 

You could consider checking a college paper format guide for your selected style, to overcome common issues which could compromise your overall score. 

3. Draft your outline

An outline is a crucial element in writing a college research paper. Besides keeping you on track with your arguments, the outline also helps you clarify various headings within your work. 

After clarifying the structure of your research, you can easily style each header for a college paper, reducing confusion for your readers. 

4. Break your paper into sections 

Chunking your paper proves to be of great benefit for formatting your essays. For instance, I can easily identify the structural and formatting issues as a write my college paper when looking at one portion compared to when dealing with the total paper. 

This approach is great as it reduces the amount of information to peruse, helping you focus on elements such as headings, quotes, margins, and citations. 

5. Keep it simple

Although you may feel inclined to go overboard with language and styling, academic papers should retain a professional look and be easy to read. As such, refrain from using jargon and fancy fonts that could prove challenging to read.

We recommend that you use Calibri or Times New Roman fonts, size 12 with a double-spacing, allowing for easy reading. 

6. Pay time to your abstract

The abstract often presents a major issue for students learning how to write a paper in college. This section highlights the crux of your paper and therefore bears much importance to readers gauging how your work connects to their needs. 

As such, take time to edit your abstract into a succinct paragraph highlighting the research gap, your objectives, and your methodology.

7. Countercheck in-text citations and your reference list

Before submitting your paper, countercheck each in-text citation within your paper with entries in your references list. This diagnosis will allow you to account for each source used, avoiding omissions that could result in plagiarism. 

Alternatively, use a referencing app such as Bibme to track all your sources and have a reference list styled to your preferred style generated for easy integration into your paper.

8. Set up general document settings

Before starting on your essay, set up the general document settings and apply your settings to the entire paper. This allows you to avoid confusion in the latter stages and also to achieve uniformity throughout your paper. 

You could also set the settings as the default for every document, making it easy to edit parts of your paper that have been created as separate documents. 

9. Add a page header

Unless you are formatting your paper in MLA, a page header is crucial for your essay. When starting on your essay, style your page header and include all the details needed for the section. 

Getting the easy parts out of the way will make it easier for you down the line, allowing you to focus on other components. 

10. Recheck quotes on your paper

Poorly structured quotes may result in unintentional plagiarism, exposing you to harsh consequences. Check all your quotes before submitting your paper to ensure proper editing according to your referencing style.

Best Ideas for Research Paper Topics in 2020

Writing a research paper is something no college or university student can escape. At least, you are required to write one every semester. However, the writing process can be cumbersome, not to talk of coming by a topic. Selecting a subject for your research project is as important as its writing. If you miss out on that, you’re doomed to fail. On a few occasions, your professor may assign you a particular topic to research; however, the norm is that you come up with your own topic. In this piece, we will discuss how to choose a topic and add some examples.

How to select a research topic?

When selecting a subject, it is advisable to pick something, which is not overly exhausted or random. Your topic should be captivating and able to provoke further debate. As such, you should choose something which:

1. You are interested in
   A research paper takes a long time to complete; hence, you should always pick a topic that interests you. It is undeniable that you come out with an exciting and thought-provoking paper when you work on a topic in your field of interest. That aside, you are able to commit yourself to it and explore the topic deeply, without being bored.
2. Should be clear
   The topic you are choosing should be clear and well defined as to which aspect you are tackling. Knowing this helps you to execute the work efficiently and on time. If you have troubles, ask your supervisor for help to prevent you from getting stuck in the middle of your writing.

Research Paper Topic Ideas

Argumentative Research Paper Topics

• Is shorter working days achievable?
• Can an athlete be a good role model?
• At what age can one legally consume alcohol?
• Who is to blame for the rising homelessness?

Persuasive Research Paper Topics

• Why it is wrong to use animals in scientific research
• Parents need to monitor their children’s online activities
• American should stay away from external conflicts
• The rise in gender-based domestic violence

Controversial Topics for Research Paper

• Should gay partners be allowed to adopt children?
• Making STEM subjects compulsory for all
• Addressing violence in media contents
• Including sex education in school’s curricular

Research Paper Topics

• Does the current college education system correspond to the job market needs?
• Should disabled students have access to special accommodation arrangements?
• Addressing child labor at the workplace
• How terrorism can affect the fortune of businesses
• Role of feminism in contemporary society
• Are universities deviating from their core mandate?

High School Research Topics

• Should the use of smartphones in schools be legalized?
• Training students for leadership positions
• Exploring Plato’s mathematics philosophy

College Research Paper Topics

• Effects of menstruation on the girl child
• How substance abuse affects the performance of college students
• Causes of societal stereotype
• The proof that AIDS is from monkeys

Topics on Technology

• How technology can help in preventing terrorism
• How cloud technologies managed to change data storing
• How Bill Gates and Steve Jobs helped change the world

Topics on Environment

• How the climate has changed in the last three decades
• Is Global warming a hoax?
• How do human activities influence global warming?
• Managing pollution
• How can we help prevent the extinction of endangered species?

5 Commonly Confused Elements of a Research Paper

To develop a top-notch research paper, you should first know it is structured and what each section entails. Also, you should know the purpose of each of the sections. That said, some of these sections and elements may seem to serve the same purpose and hardly do students differentiate their use. Sometimes, a paper writer may ponder if these elements are interchangeable. Some of these confusing elements are:

1. Difference between aims and objectives
2. “Implications” and “recommendations.”
3. Citation and reference

Now let’s delve into some of the confusing sections of a research paper.

1. Difference between an “Abstract” and “Introduction”

An abstract summarizes the entire research paper in a few paragraphs. It entails the main points of the study, methodology, findings and conclusion. The abstract helps readers to know what your essay is about and whether to continue reading or not.

 On the other hand, the introduction sets the tone for your paper. It is where you introduce your topic, give background, highlight previous literature on it, the gap in them, and tell readers why it is worth researching.

In conclusion, the primary way to distinguish an abstract from the introduction is that an abstract contains the research method and findings, but the introduction doesn’t.

2. “Aim” and “objectives”

The aim of research stipulates the intended outcome of your study. The section talks about the goals and what it hopes to achieve after the investigation. It also includes what the researcher wishes to prove with the research. The aim is broad and gives no milestone for accomplishment.

The objective of your paper, however, includes the steps you may take to achieve your aim. It also comes with stages and milestones at which each aim can be achieved. Unlike aim, the objective is narrow in nature with a set timeframe for accomplishment.

3. “Introduction” and “problem statement”

The introduction is the first chapter of your research piece and provides the background information readers need to understand your study. It aims to grab the attention of readers; hence, it should contain a hook.

On the other hand, the problem statement forms an essential part of a research proposal and states the reasons for the study. It is usually intended to grab funders’ attention to provide grants or financial assistance for research. Though very brief, your problem statement explains the study’s purpose and what situation it seeks to address. For example, if you have identified a research gap that you intend to explore, clearly state it and how you wish to solve it. 

4. “Background of a study” and “literature review”

Both the background of study and literature review talks about existing literature or theories in the research area. However, the study background forms part of the introduction section that presents the topic and puts it in context.

The literature review, a standalone section, delves deeper into the topic and critically analyses it using previous literature.

5. “Research question” and “research problem”

The research problem is the entire reason for the particular study. What problem do you seek to address, what are the concerns necessitating research?

However, the research question is specific concerns you would want to address through the study. The research question is a subset of the research problem.