ENGL 102 - Inquiry-Based Research: Planning Your Research

Read your instructor's assignment. Make a mental note of certain requirements, such as:

• Number of required sources
• Variety of sources (peer-reviewed, scholarly, popular, personal interview, etc.)
• Number of written pages
• Citation style

Research mapping is a visual way to organize your ideas and sources before writing a research paper.

• Think of it like making a map or web where your main topic goes in the middle, and related subtopics branch out.
• Each branch can then connect to evidence, examples, or sources that support your points.
• It helps you see connections, avoid repeating yourself, and spot areas where you need more research.

👉 In academic writing, research mapping ensures your supporting material (statistics, stories, expert opinions) actually connects back to your main point.

Benefits of Research Mapping

• Clarity: keeps your paper focused
• Balance: shows if one section is too heavy or too thin
• Organization: makes outlining much easier