This is the last week of the Research Skills class. This unit provides contact information for the Library and Writing Center for when you begin research assignments and need some help, as well as links to books and other guides that you might find useful. Thank you for taking this class and we hope that you have enjoyed it and found it useful and informative!
Be sure to look at the "This Week's Assignment" box to make sure you complete all the assignments for this final week of class.
The following are the steps for the research process and writing process:
Step 1. Come up with your topic.
Explore topics of interest to you or gather some basic information on an assigned topic to help you begin your research.
Step 2. Write your thesis statement.
Ask yourself what is the who, what, when, where, and why of my topic?
Step 3. Create an outline.
Organize your thoughts about the topic and determine how you will structure your paper.
Step 4. Gather your sources.
Use the OCCC Library Catalog, OCCC Library Databases, and web sources.
Step 5. Evaluate your sources.
Utilize the ABCD of evaluation for all of your sources.
Step 6. Write your paper.
Put what you have discovered down on paper. Be sure you are answering the question(s) posed in your thesis.
Step 7. Properly document your sources using required citation style.
Be sure to use the style required for the assignment and refer to the the style guide to properly cite your sources.
Step 8. Proofread your paper.
Read over your work more than once and ask someone else, preferably the Writing Center or your instructor, to review it as well.
Step 9. Turn in your paper (on time).
Make sure you are aware of the deadlines you have and double check how your instructor wants to receive your paper.
Step 10. Celebrate!
Good Job! If you have followed all of the steps above, you will more easily complete a successful research paper.
Visit Us: Stop by the Library Assistance Desk on the first floor of the Library near the Circulation Desk.
Call Us: Library Assistance Desk: (405) 682-1611, Ext. 7251
Chat with Us: Use the library chat feature on the homepage
Email Us: library@occc.edu
Library Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 7:30am - 9:00pm
Friday: 7:30am - 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Sunday: CLOSED
Reference Librarians are available to assist you with your research needs from 8am to 9pm Monday through Thursday and 8am to 5pm on Friday.
The Writing Center is located on the first floor of the Main Building. The Writing Center helps students develop and improve reading, writing and study skills, and offers a computer lab for writing papers. Students can work with tutors in the lab or schedule an online session using their ECHO service.
Fall and Spring Semesters Hours of Operation
Monday - Thursday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Closed Sunday
Summer and May/August Intersession Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Student Computer Center: The Student Computer Center is located on the 3rd floor of the Keith Leftwich Memorial Library building. The SCC gives any current OCCC student access to computers to work on assignments with the latest software available for their classes. Tutors are available for Information Technology students in a vast array of courses in the IT Division. Students are allowed to print 25 sheets per day of course material.
Monday-Thursday: 7:30am - 9:00pm
Friday: 7:30am - 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Sunday: CLOSED
This week you will be required to complete forum postings, a Final Exam, and an Exit Assessment. Go to Moodle for details and assignment due dates.