Writing a great research paper involves more than just retelling what you’ve read. The foundation of any good paper is solid research. Here are five essential research techniques Ask a Tech Teacher contributor, Philip Richardson, suggests for college students that can also apply to high school research projects:

Top 5 Research Techniques for Your College Papers

Writing a killer college paper takes more than smashing your fingers on your keyboard until you get up to the required word count. At the center of any decent academic effort is a heaping pile of solid research. Wernher von Braun, a famous physicist and rocket engineer, once said: “Research is what I’m doing when I don’t know what I’m doing”, and he has a point!

Solid research lays a great foundation for any piece of writing. But to be able to research like a pro, you need to know basic research techniques – specific methods and strategies used to gather, analyze, and interpret data effectively for academic, scientific, or commercial purposes. Regardless of whether your paper explores the mating habits of night-flying insects or the socioeconomic implications of space tourism, your methods for research can make or break your paper. Here are five time-tested research secrets that can land you awesome grades, make your professors nod appreciatively, and maybe even bring a smile to your face while you are at it. (more…)