Review your class readings and notes to brainstorm topic ideas. Look for topics that captured your interest or ones that leave open questions for you to answer. Make a list of all potential topic ideas. Consider the resources you have available when choosing a topic -- the more readings you can find on your topic, the easier your research will be. If you're stuck on a topic, ask your professor for guidance.
Conduct your research. Visit the library to find as many sources as you can on your topic. You might not use them all, but the more sources you have, the better at this point. Read through book chapters and journal articles that touch on your topic. Take notes on important points and valuable quotes. This research will help guide you as you write, and you will incorporate much of this information into your paper.
Write your thesis statement. Based on your research, you should have a sense of what you want your research paper to prove or answer. The thesis statement summarizes the point of your paper in one succinct sentence. In some cases, your thesis will pose a question that your paper will answer. In others, your thesis will make a general statement about your topic, which you will prove throughout the course of your paper.
Build an outline. Create headings and subheadings that support your thesis in some way. Every item on your outline should directly relate to your thesis statement, which will prevent you from rambling or going off-track. The more detailed you make your outline, the easier the writing process will be.
Write your first draft. Refer to your outline as you compose and incorporate your research from a range of sources into your paper. This research gives your paper substance and validates it. For any paraphrased or directly quoted material, include an in-text citation giving the author credit. Do not try to pass off any author's information as your own.
Build your reference list. Give credit to each source that you use by listing it in the references at the end of your paper. You should include the author's name, the title of the work and the date of publication. Refer to your style guide for detailed instructions on citing references -- common style guides used at the college level are MLA and APA.
Revise your research paper. Make sure each paragraph supports your thesis. Look for any gaps in your research. Eliminate any repetition. Correct grammatical errors, and make sure that all information from other sources is properly attributed, both within the text and in your references list.