The research process is a series of multiple steps. Look at creating a research plan. Your instructor may have given you a topic/question to research or the freedom to come up with your own topic/question. Just take a few moments to think about the following: 

1. What am I trying to accomplish?
2. How interested am I in this idea?
3. How much time do I have?
4. What information and resources are available? 
5. Does your issue have sub-topics that you need to know more about? 
6. What is the assigned length of the research paper?

Instructions for the mid-term and final research papers:

The mid-term paper must be well structured, with an introduction, an clearly articulated issues comprising of 3-4 different sections with their respective sub-titles, and a conclusion. The topic and content of your paper must be relevant to the general theme of the course (women and gender issues in Africa), in historical and contemporary contexts of global Africa within a Pan-African framework (the continent and the diaspora). Use assigned readings, films, and any other relevant or two sources. Also avoid Wikipedia/website summaries. A good paper is analytical rather than historical and/or contemporary facts and theoretical articulations by selected authors. Diversify your sources and clearly indicate quotations and citations with full references.