Steps to Writing a Research Paper Quick Links My UCLA Hours Ask a Librarian UCLA Library Catalog CDL This information will help you identify, locate, and evaluate information for your research paper.   Getting started. Find help focusing your research topic and selecting indexes & sources you need. Define your topic Selecting the right source The flow of information Get an overview of your topic. Use a general or specialized subject encyclopedia if you need background information on your topic. Here's an example of an online encyclopedia: Encyclopedia Britanica http://search.eb.com/ Well-designed online general encyclopedia. Some articles include links to additional information on the web. Encyclopędia Britannica, Inc. Copyright © 1994-2001. Find Books. Find books at UCLA using the UCLA Library Catalog Learn how to use the catalog More ways to find books College Library books are located in the book stacks on the ground floor and the first floor of the Powell Building. Find Articles. Search for articles by using indexes to periodicals (journals, magazines and newspapers). Find article indexes by subject Scholarly journals vs. popular magazine articles How to evaluate journal articlesFind shelving locations for periodicals: Use the UCLA Library Catalog or the CDL Periodical Titles database Learn how to use CDL Periodical Titles Find web sites Use only quality web sites when you do research. Thinking critically about WWW resources Hoax? Scholarly research? Personal opinion? You decide! You are now ready to write your paper. Remember to cite the references that you use. Writing a research paper (from Purdue University) How to cite How not to plagiarize (from University of Toronto) Dictionaries & thesauri  © Regents of the University of California Comments to: College Library Web Administrator Last updated: June 5, 2006