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Research Paper & Source Tracking Kit

Keep the question, verified sources, evidence, comparison themes, and outline connected as you research.

Click any outlined field to edit. Print or save a PDF, or download a completed HTML copy. This kit provides no sources or citations.

1. Research question organizer

Working questionWhy this question matters for the assignmentPopulation, time period, place, or key terms to defineWhat evidence would help answer it? What is outside scope?

Fictional question example: How do changes to campus bus frequency affect student travel time? The example is a prompt only; it supplies no findings or sources.

2. Source log

Give each source a stable ID. Verify every field against the source itself or a reliable catalog record.

Source details to verify
ID	Author / organization	Title and publication	Year	DOI / URL and access date	Citation check
S-01

S-01 is a blank source ID example. Do not treat it as a real citation; enter a source only after you find and verify it.

3. Evidence worksheet

One evidence note per claim or useful passage
Source ID	Claim / evidence in your words	Page, section, table, or timestamp	Method / context	Your interpretation or question

Use quotation marks for exact wording and keep the original location. Separate what the source says from your interpretation.

4. Literature review comparison matrix

Compare verified sources across shared questions
Source ID	Theme / question	Method and context	Relevant finding (verify)	Limit / difference	Follow-up

5. Paper outline

Move from evidence to a line of reasoning
Section / claim	Evidence IDs	Counterpoint or limitation	Transition / next question

6. Research timeline

Choose checkpoints that match your due date
Date	Work session / checkpoint	Output	Status / next step

7. Citation verification checklist

Open the original source; confirm author, title, date, publication, and stable link or DOI.
Check every quotation word-for-word and record a page or section locator.
Confirm each paraphrase reflects the source accurately and has a citation.
Match in-text citations to the reference list and apply the required style guide.
Follow your instructor’s rules for source quality, collaboration, and AI assistance.

Items to verify before submission