Throughout a research project, there are several things that can arise, from simple questions to a thorough one-on-one discussion. Depending on the stage you are in during this process, there are many different times and opportunities that you can reach out for help and support.

Use Your Instructor

Regardless of what part of the process you are in, the instructor will always be the best line of support. They are the person who created the assignment and will be grading it. During the prewriting stage, ask questions, bring outline ideas, and gain further clarification from the instructor to ensure the paper is moving in the right direction. This initial stage is crucial because the writing has not begun yet. The ideas are still flexible enough that making changes will be easier here than once the paper is formed.

Once the paper is written, in the first or second stages, use the instructor for specific feedback. Some will allow rough drafts to be submitted and will provide detailed feedback that tells you exactly what needs to be corrected. Obviously, use this feedback if it is given. However, if the instructor gives a prompt and leaves the rest of the process up to you, take drafts to them and ask them to look at problem areas, show them the outline, explain your thoughts, and ask for clarification on problem areas. Again, some instructors will be happy to read an entire essay; others will want specific questions or sections to read. The main point is to not be afraid to ask for their help.

When reaching out to the instructor on a research project, be sure your questions are specific and directed. Asking general or vague questions will result in a general or vague answer. The following question is too general:

I’m confused on how to write my second paragraph. Do you have any suggestions?

However, being specific and direct will help get better feedback, like below:

My second paragraph is supposed to argue the point that the legal drinking age shouldn’t be lowered to 18 because teenagers in high school will have more access to alcohol. This is what I have so far. Would you be able to take a look at it and tell me if all parts of a paragraph are present and if the research is integrated well enough into the paragraph. I feel like it’s very jumpy, and I’d love any suggestions as to how to make this  flow better. Thank you.

“In addition to the brain not being fully developed enough at 18, lowering the drinking age would be dangerous, as more and more teenagers in high school would have access to alcohol. Seniors in high school could then buy it and distribute it to their peers. Several decades ago, the drinking age was lowered to 18, and one study showed that the number of alcohol related teenage accidents decreased by 36% from 1976 to 1977, when the legal age was changed back to 21 (Matthews, p. 39). Many factors could have caused this shift, but it makes sense that the number of alcohol related accidents would increase when more people have access to it.”

Remember to be specific, as the instructor has several other students and may not remember your topic. They will be able to give specific suggestions if they have samples of what you’re struggling with.

Peer-Review and Feedback

Another source of help that can be used is your peers. Though this may not be as strong as the instructor, they are going through the same process in this project and can provide valuable insight based on their experiences and knowledge. If you still have questions during the prewriting phase, ask them. Sometimes a peer can put an assignment into clearer words or answer questions in a different way that makes more sense.

Once the project has been written, peers can also serve as valuable reviewers. They know the project’s requirements and rubric and should be able to read the essay and find things that are missing and point out areas that are strong. Typically when we read our own writing, there is an innate ability to scan over errors or fill in missing words because our brains tell us it is correct, even when it is not. A peer will read the paper slowly and will be able to also help with the proofreading process, ideally even pointing out bits of missing information or confusing areas.

The important thing to remember when utilizing peers is that they too are learners. This means that they are not subject area experts on the nuances of the English language. Take their grammatical suggestions and check them. If they tell you a comma is needed, review comma rules and verify that it is needed before just changing it. Sometimes, peers will not have all the correct answers, and it is your job to fact check their suggestions.

Writing Center Services

Almost every college campus has a writing center available to students. The format may look different from campus to campus, but the sole job of the writing center is to help students with writing assignments. They can help a student understand a prompt, brainstorm, outline, all the way through the revision process. This is a widely underutilized resource to students. Many centers have video chat available, others are strictly online, and others are on campus in person (or some combination of those options).

Be sure you check with your college for details. However, the same guidance above applies. Don’t go into the writing center with no idea of what you want to write about or expecting them to do the work for you. Go in with specific, directed questions, ready to do the work with them by your side. If you need help understanding the prompt, be sure to bring the assignment sheet or prompt in with you and be able to discuss what you’re having trouble with/what is confusing. If you need help with editing and revising, bring the most up to date draft and let them know what your biggest concerns or problem areas are.

Just as with an instructor or a peer, the more details you have, the better they can help you. Most writing centers are staffed with screened student workers, so be sure to still fact check the suggestions they give you before submitting the final project.

Campus Library

One final resource that should be a front runner in a research project is the campus library. Librarians are fully trained in research, citations, and how to find the best research for your project. Though they may or may not be able to help with the revision process, they can certainly help navigate the research portion of the project.

Most campus libraries have appointment times, Online appointments, and chat or call features and librarians have been trained specifically in best practices for research. If you have trouble finding articles for your topic, you cannot find recent articles, you cannot login to databases, or you just are lost on where to start, the librarians can assist you in gaining knowledge and becoming a strong researcher. Check with your campus’s library for the best way to connect with a librarian.