Decide whether to use traditional index cards, a notebook or a computer file to create your source cards. If you decide to create handwritten source cards, such as those on index cards, then use only one card per source and make sure the source cards are one-sided for easier organization.
Determine what formatting and style guidelines you will use for your paper, such as those of the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Modern Language Association (MLA). Locate a handbook or reference document for these guidelines to refer to while creating source cards.
Locate the books, periodicals, websites and other material you will use to develop and support your paper. Either create source cards one at a time, as you locate each reference item, or all at once, when you have accumulated all of your research material.
Create a source card for each reference item you have gathered for your paper. On each source card, write out the full bibliographic information for the source, including author, title and publication information, in accordance with the formatting and style guidelines you are using.
Identify the location of each reference item on the respective source card as well. For example, you may include a library call number, a database title or a web address. Even though it will not be included in your bibliography, this information will help you to relocate the source if needed.
Write and circle a reference number on each source card. For example, if you have 10 source cards, then write and circle a number on each of them from one to 10. Use this reference number to quickly identify a source when you take notes for your paper.