Evaluate the parameters of the research paper. Research papers can be anywhere from three to 100 pages depending on the teacher's requirements. A discussion of teen suicide statistics in your state is appropriate for a three page paper but is too narrow to fill 10 to 15 pages. In addition, consider the goals of your paper as assigned by the professor. Various approaches could be a study of first-hand attempts and survivor accounts, a discussion of prevention methods and their effectiveness, or designing your own program for teen suicide intervention.
Decide on the focus of your paper, referring back to the expected length of your paper. For example, the depictions of teen suicide in movies and literature of the 20th century may work well for a 20-to-30-page paper. Depictions of teen suicide in movies and literature of the 1990s may be more appropriate for a 10-to-15 page paper. An appropriate topic for a three-to-five-page paper might be a comparison of teen suicide in film as depicted in "Rebel Without a Cause" versus "The Virgin Suicides."
Begin compiling references. Look for scholarly papers on teen suicide published in journals relating to parenting, education, counseling and psychology. Appropriate Internet resources include .edu or .org websites, particularly organizations dedicated to suicide awareness and prevention. Often organizations or hotlines offer free brochures that provide statistics, tips for helping loved ones, and where to get further information regarding counseling.
Conduct interviews. Social services, local health departments and high school counselors are all viable sources of first-hand information. Call or email organizations that offer suicide hotline numbers -- not the actual hotline numbers -- to explain that you are writing a paper on teen suicide and ask a few questions.
Create a thesis statement that concisely states the goals of the research paper. Consider this a one sentence outline. For example, “Current methods of suicide counseling do not address a teenager’s electronic lifestyle.” Within the body of the paper, you should discuss current methods of suicide counseling, evidence that teenagers have indicated rejection of these methods and a desire for new methods such as texting, along with suggestions for future directions of teen suicide counseling.