Research Help Guide  

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Student/Staff#:
Seven digit UM student number  

Default Password:
Your birthdate yymmdd 

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Click "Email Me My PIN" to send PIN to your cc.umanitoba.ca email

Faculty & Staff:
Visit or call any library to set up account

All set up?  Now you can:

Access online library resources including e-books, journal articles, streaming audio/video

Make requests for materials to be sent between UM Library locations

Access the Internet from library desktop computers

Recall materials that are checked out

Renew library materials online

Have a look at your syllabus, or your assignment directions.  If you need something explained, don't be afraid to ask your instructor. They want you to succeed.

Pick a topic that will be of interest for you (something that you actually want to know the answer to), because you're going to be studying that topic for the next while as you write this paper. 

Try developing a timeline to keep you on track. (ALC sample timeline)

Concept mapping is a simple way of getting your ideas organized, and seeing how they link to each other before you write your paper.  Check out this ALC Sample Mind Map.

A good thesis statement clarifies the goals and purpose of an academic paper. Use it to present your argument, or opinion, and your reasons for writing the essay. Devise a strong thesis statement early on to ease the writing process by providing yourself with a clear objective. In the process of researching and writing, you will likely revise your statement as you learn more about the subject, but you'll do that in an informed way.

Try framing your topic as a question to help you describe what it is you want to argue. Ask yourself questions like: why is this interesting, what do I want to learn or show, how can I explain the problem, and who does the issue affect or who causes the issue. Questions like these also come in very useful once you start searching for books and articles in support of your argument. 

The Academic Learning Centre provides excellent guides and advice in their Handouts section, including guides for crafting a thesis statement. 

There are many free services available to U of M students. After looking through this guide, you might want to check out these too:

Academic Learning Centre - Writing Tutor Program (ALC)

Handouts Section (ALC)

University 1 Student Help Centre 

Student Advocacy: info on academic integrity & plagiarism

Student Accessibility Services: assistance for students with disabilities

UMSU: University of Manitoba Students' Union