Keeping a Research Log

Make your life easier: Keep track of your research progress by recording the following:

•  Bibliographic information on the works you consult;
•  Any developments or refinements in your topic;
•  Names of key persons, authorities, cases, places, or events;
•  New terms you discover in titles, abstracts, or articles that might be helpful in searching for other sources.
•  Saving search results to an electronic file, for easier searching and sorting later.

In the new model, the work’s publication format is not considered. Instead of asking, “How do I cite a book [or DVD or Web page]?” the writer creates an entry by consulting the MLA’s list of core elements—facts common to most works—which are assembled in a specific order. The MLA core elements appear below:
[From: MLA Website]

• University of Richmond Honor Council & the UR Honor Code
  The UR Honor Council maintains the University's Honor Code used in order to maintain high standards of academic integrity. This website provides information on the Honor Code Pledge students are required to acknowledge for assignments.
• The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
  Resources for all things writing and citing in APA and MLA.
• Writing Center - The University of Richmond
  The Writing Center provides experienced tutors who offer friendly critiques for written work in any major.
• Writer's Web - The University of Richmond - Writing Center
  Writer's Web is a free, public-access handbook that covers help and information for all stages of the writing process.
• Citation Guides for Government Documents
  Links to various websites for help with citing government documents and publications.