Term papers on autism: conducting research

Autism is one of those hot-button issues that has caused a stir in the medical and media fields. While it is a worthwhile topic to review and discuss, it can also be extremely difficult to research because of the sheer weight of all of the information online – much of it incorrect and unsupported.

When conducting a professional, educational research term paper on autism, it is important to follow some simple steps to ensure that your sources and documentation are solid, reasonable, and credible. Wading through the misinformation could potentially be the biggest struggle – and once you do so, it will be easy to conduct your research using the credible sources you are able to find.

Term Papers on Autism – Starting Your Research

So where should you start? In the case of inflammatory topics that have led to so many internet forums, sound-bites, and media coverage, it can be hard to wade through the information online and determine who the best sources are. Because of this, there are few things to consider when conducting research:

• Find peer-reviewed data: Peer-reviewed sources are those that have been reviewed by other professionals in the field. This means searching for studies that have been reviewed and published by respected medical bodies and research organizations. Most will also indicate the steps that the research took to gain approval by other experts and review panels.
• Avoid blogs: Even blogs that are hosted by medical professionals should be avoided. With no review by additional sources, and no one to “check and balance” the information, it is really easy to be led astray by blog posts. Even those that source their information could be taking that information out of context.
• Avoid celebrity endorsements/criticisms: Stick to data offered by medical and research professionals. The opinions of celebrities and other non-professionals can be interesting, but should never be held up as absolute fact. Consider bias and always err on the side of caution. Only lend credit to those who have professional ties to studies and factual information.
• Review organizational information: There are many medical organizations dedicated to the research of autism and its links to other health issues. They often highlight research information that is pertinent to the study of autism, and most often are peer reviewed and credible sources.
• Avoid inflammatory sources: If a source is clearly biased, or makes inflammatory claims, avoid them. Nothing will make your paper as ineffective as inappropriate or unbacked sources.