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Writing an Effective Desk Research Paper

Name: Writing an Effective Desk Research Paper
Rating: 4.5 (65 reviews)

Learn every stage of the process for developing a high quality paper -- from analysis of the assignment to submission

Created byLeigh Faulkner

Last updated 9/2025

English

What you'll learn

You will be able to develop a focused research question or thesis statement for your desk research paper
You will understand how to collect the information you need for your desk research paper
You will learn various ways to analyze the information you have collected for your desk research paper
You will be able to choose appropriate ways to organize your desk research paper
You will understand the qualities of effective academic writing
You will be able to edit and revise your desk research paper effectively
You will be able to provide valuable collegial support to your peers by developing your peer editing skills
You will be able to transfer many of the desk research writing skills learned in this course to other types of academic writing you are required to do

Course content

9 sections • 45 lectures • 4h 25m total length

Welcome to Writing an Effective Desk Research Paper2:43
Objectives
I’ll explain the course objectives
We’ll identify the course sections and see how they fit together
And then we’ll look ahead to Lecture 2

Introduction to Section 1: Developing Your Research Question or Thesis Statement2:33
Objectives

We’ll identify the objectives of Section 1—Developing Your Research Question or Thesis Statement

I’ll introduce the Section 1 topics

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 3
Understanding the recursive nature of the desk research writing process3:42
Objectives

I’ll recap the main points of Lecture 2

We’ll see why it’s important to understand that the writing process is recursive

We’ll see how the stages of the writing process fit together

I’ll summarize the main points of this lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 4
Analyzing the assignment: Part 18:22
Objectives

We’ll recap the main points of Lecture 3

We’ll look at a process of analyzing the assignment to come up with a clear idea of what the finished paper must accomplish

I’ll summarize the main points of this lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 5
Analyzing the assignment: Part 24:30
This is a continuation of the previous lecture.
The Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy (RBT) and question purposes7:14
Objectives

We’ll recap the main points of Lecture 4

I’ll introduce the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy (RBT) of Thinking Processes

We’ll look at a way to make use of the RBT to identify what you’re being asked to do in any particular assignment

We’ll summarize the main points of Lecture 5

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 6
Characteristics of a strong thesis statement5:17
Objectives

We’ll recap the main points of Lecture 5

We’ll look at the process of writing a thesis statement

We’ll look at the characteristics of a thesis statement

I’ll introduce the idea of a “working thesis”

I’ll summarize the main points of this lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 7––the final lecture of Section 1
Characteristics of strong research questions5:49
Objectives

We’ll recap the main points of Lecture 6

We’ll identify the qualities you’ll need to keep in mind if you decide to use a research question or questions instead of a thesis statement

I’ll summarize the main ideas of this lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 8
Section 1 Quiz

Introduction to Section 2: Carrying Out Your Research2:22
Objectives

We’ll recap the main points of Lecture 7

I’ll introduce the objectives of Section 2—Carrying Out Your Research

We’ll look at the Section 2 topics

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 9
Identifying sub-topics4:09
Objectives

We’ll look at the process of identifying sub-topics for your thesis statement or research question

We’ll summarize the key points of this lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 10
Identifying sources for the sub-topics6:47
Objectives

I’ll recap the key points of Lecture 9

We’ll look at the process of identifying sources for the sub-topics

I’ll summarize the key points of the lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 11
Checking sources for bias4:51
Objectives

I’ll recap the key points of Lecture 10

We’ll define “bias”

We’ll look at ways to protect your writing from the bias of potential sources

I’ll summarize the main points of this lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 12
Effective notetaking: Part 15:42
Objectives

I’ll recap the key points of Lecture 11

I’ll take you through the Cornell Method of notetaking

We’ll look at the features of useful notes

We’ll take a brief look at the reference section of your paper

I’ll summarize the main points of this lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 13
Effective notetaking: Part 27:12
This is a continuation of Lecture 12. A second system of producing and handling notes is given, along with ways of making use of its special features.
Triangulation/corroborative evidence5:18
Objectives

We’ll recap the main points of Lecture 12

I’ll introduce the companion concepts of triangulation and corroboration

I’ll summarize the main points of this lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 14
Accuracy with references6:24
Objectives

We’ll recap the key points of Lecture 13

We’ll analyze several references that are written in APA style

I’ll summarize the main points of the lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 15
Common citation styles9:27
Objectives

We’ll recap the important points of Lecture 14

I’ll identify common citation styles used instead of APA

I’ll summarize the key points of this lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 16
Section 2 Quiz

Introduction to Section 3: Analyzing Your Information1:39
Objectives

We’ll recap the main points of Lecture 15

I’ll introduce the objectives of Section 3—Analyzing Your Information

I’ll introduce the Section 3 topics

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 17
Sorting your notes10:09
Objectives

We’ll look at the process of analyzing the information you’ve gathered during your research

I’ll summarize the main points of the lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 18
Analytical graphics: Part 17:37
Objectives

We’ll recap the main points of Lecture 17

I’ll introduce several graphics that can be used for analyzing information

I’ll summarize the key points of the lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 19
Analytical graphics: Part 25:20
This is a continuation of Lecture 18. Additional analytical graphics are presented and their potential use examined.
Section 3 Quiz

Introduction to Section 4: Organizing Your Paper2:54
Objectives

We’ll recap the key points of Lecture 18

I’ll introduce the 6 objectives of Section 4—Organizing Your Paper

I’ll introduce the 8 Section 4 topics

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 20
Modes of exposition10:54
Objectives

We’ll look at 5 modes of exposition:

comparison & contrast

division & classification

cause & effect

argumentation

analysis

I’ll summarize the main points of this lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 21
Informational graphics9:23
Objectives

We’ll recap the key points of Lecture 20

We’ll look at the use of graphics as a way of displaying information

I’ll summarize the main points of the lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 22
In-line quotes7:35
Objectives

We’ll recap the key points of Lecture 21

We’ll examine the proper method of in-line citation, according to APA

I’ll summarize the main points of the lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 23
Block quotes7:09
Objectives

We’ll recap the key points of Lecture 22

We’ll examine the proper method of block quote citation, according to APA

I’ll summarize the main points of the lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 24
Plagiarism and how to avoid it3:40
Objectives

We’ll recap the key points of Lecture 23

We’ll look at how you can avoid plagiarism (and live a happy, secure academic life)

I’ll summarize the main points of the lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 25
Purpose and structure of the reference list and the bibliography5:48
Objectives

We’ll recap the key points of Lecture 24

We’ll look at the purpose and structure of the reference list

We’ll look at the purpose and structure of the bibliography

I’ll summarize the main points of the lecture

We'll look ahead to Lecture 26
Purpose and structure of the executive summary6:59
Objectives

We’ll recap the main points of Lecture 25

We’ll look at the reason for including an executive summary in your paper

We’ll look at how an executive summary should be structured

I’ll summarize the main points of the lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 27
Purpose and structure of the abstract5:14
Objectives

We’ll recap the main points of Lecture 26

We’ll look at the reason for including an abstract in your paper

We’ll look at how an abstract should be structured

I’ll summarize the main points of the lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 28
Section 4 Quiz

Introduction to Section 5: Qualities of Effective Academic Writing2:15
Objectives

We'll recap the key points of Lecture 27

I’ll introduce the objectives of Section 5—Qualities of Effective Academic Writing

I’ll introduce the Section 5 topics

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 29
Macro structure—“Tell them”2:50
Objectives

We’ll look at the “tell them” technique

I’ll summarize the key points of the lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 30
The Introduction and “The Hook”5:23
Objectives

We’ll recap the main points of Lecture 29

We’ll examine the structure and purpose of your paper’s Introduction

I’ll introduce the feature of the Introduction called the “hook”

I’ll summarize the key points of the lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 31
The Conclusion6:17
Objectives

We’ll recap the main points of Lecture 30

We’ll examine the structure and purpose of your paper’s Conclusion

I’ll summarize the main points of the lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 32
Parallel structure3:50
Objectives

We’ll recap the main points of Lecture 31

We’ll look at parallel structure and why it’s important

I’ll summarize the main points of the lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 33
Cohesion, clarity, and unity6:59
Objectives

We’ll recap the main points of Lecture 32

We’ll look at the contribution of cohesion, clarity and unity to the effectiveness of your paper

I’ll summarize the main points of the lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 34
Section 5 Quiz

Introduction to Section 6: Editing and Revision2:09
Objectives

We’ll recap the key points of Lecture 33

I’ll introduce the objectives of Section 6—Editing and Revision

I’ll introduce the Section 6 topics

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 35
Timing7:24
Objectives

We’ll look at the matter of timing in the completion of your paper

I’ll summarize the main points of the lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 36
Verifying your objectives6:14
Objectives

We’ll recap the main points of Lecture 35

We’ll look at the importance of the verification of your objectives

I’ll summarize the main points of the lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 37
Proofreading5:57
Objectives

We’ll recap the main points of Lecture 36

We’ll examine the proofreading process

I’ll summarize the main points of the lecture

We’ll look ahead to Lecture 38
Peer editing—who, how10:31
Objectives

We’ll recap the main points of Lecture 37

We’ll examine the process of peer editing

I’ll summarize the main points of the lecture

We’ll look ahead to the last lecture
Section 6 Quiz

Requirements

All the materials you need are provided in the course, but you'll need to be prepared to allocate the time necessary to work carefully through each lecture, internalize each concept, then apply the strategies to your actual academic writing assignments.

Description

Desk research papers are widely assigned in college and university. This course gives you detailed guidance in creating a first quality desk research paper -- the kind of guidance that you may not get in any of your classes.

The course consists of 39 video lectures, starting with assignment analysis and ending with polishing the final paper. Crucial stages of the paper development process -- such as, for example, developing a narrow topic, writing an effective thesis statement or research question, identifying sources, carrying out targeted research, information analysis, proper citation, peer editing, revision, and rewriting -- are all explained and demonstrated in over four hours of video. In addition, supplementary materials are provided for download.

The course is divided into six sections:

1. Developing Your Research Question or Thesis Statement

2. Carrying Out Your Research

3. Analyzing Your Information

4. Organizing Your Paper

5. Qualities of Effective Academic Writing

6. Editing and Revision

The skills you learn in this course will make the task of researching and writing a desk research paper more organized, more efficient, and less time consuming, resulting in a paper that meets the higher standards college and university instructors look for in student academic writing.

If you'd like to sharpen your academic writing skills, this course is what you need. And, as a bonus, you'll find that the skills learned in this course on desk research writing are transferable to other forms of academic writing you'll be assigned.

This course makes it win-win all the way around!

And, of course, you have 30 days to get a refund (no questions asked) if you are not entirely satisfied. That's another win-win!

BTW -- I've just finished revising the entire course. I hope you like the new look! Best wishes for successful writing!

Who this course is for:

This course is designed for those college and university students who must produce desk research papers. This course is an in-depth study of the genre, showing you how to utilize your time and intellect to the greatest effect.
If you are a high school student planning to attend college or university, this course can give you insight into the demands and expectations of higher education, and since you will have unlimited access to the course, it will be your companion throughout your academic journey.

Writing an Effective Desk Research Paper

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction1 lecture • 3min

Developing Your Research Question or Thesis Statement7 lectures • 37min

Section 2––Carrying Out Your Research9 lectures • 52min

Section 3—Analyzing Your Information4 lectures • 25min

Section 4––Organizing Your Paper9 lectures • 1hr

Section 5––Qualities of Effective Academic Writing6 lectures • 28min

Section 6––Editing and Revision5 lectures • 32min

Conclusion3 lectures • 23min

Supplementary Lecture1 lecture • 7min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: