Welcome, Researcher.
This guidebook was made for you. Whether you are in Grade 10 writing your very first Review of Related Literature, in Grade 11 exploring the stories behind human experience, or in Grade 12 crunching data and testing hypotheses - this guide will walk you through every step of the research process, from your very first question all the way to sharing your work with the world.
This is not just a school requirement. Research is one of the most powerful things a human being can do. Every law that protects you, every medicine that heals you, every policy that shapes your community - behind all of it, there is a researcher who asked a question and refused to stop until they found an answer. That researcher can be you.
This workshop has been directly tailored from the research frameworks and pedagogical approaches of some of the world's most respected academic institutions - including Harvard University, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, Johns Hopkins University, and Lumiere Education. The methodologies, structures, and standards you will encounter in this guidebook are drawn from those very institutions - brought here, to you, in plain and accessible language so that nothing gets in your way.
Who This Guide Is For
This is one unified guidebook for all three grade levels. The general sections apply to everyone. When you see a colored box with your grade label, pay extra attention - that part is specifically for you.
Your research project focuses on the Review of Related Literature (RRL) - learning how to find, read, and synthesize existing research. This is the foundation of all academic inquiry.
Your research project focuses on Qualitative Research - understanding human experience through interviews, observations, and thematic analysis. This is the science of listening.
Your research project focuses on Quantitative Research - measuring, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. This is the science of counting and proving.
Now, let's begin.
From J.M. to You
As once an alumnus of Bethany, I used to dream of reaching this far. And now, I am here.
I used to be exactly where you are right now - sitting in those same halls, carrying the same questions, wondering if the world of ideas had any room for someone like me. It does. It always did. And it does for you too.
I built Marèz Collegium because I believed that students from communities like ours deserve the same access to rigorous, recognized, world-class research culture that students anywhere else in the world receive. Not a watered-down version. Not a simulation. The real thing.
So I am here - not as a distant institution, not as a name on a certificate - but as someone who walked the same corridors you walk, who sat through the same classes, and who once thought that academic recognition was something that happened to other people in other places.
It is not. It can happen here. It can happen for you. And I am here to guide you through it with the same prestige, love, and support that I wish I had been given when I was in your seat.
I hear you. I see you. And the world of academia is waiting for what you are about to produce.
Jose Manuel R. Empleo, J.M.
Founder and Director · Head of Research · Chief Editorial Director
Marèz Collegium Des Études Avancées
Editor in Chief, Marèz Press
Supplementary Notice & AI Policy
This Workshop is Purely Supplementary
The Marèz Collegium Research Workshop is designed to supplement - not replace - the research education you receive from your teachers at Southern Bethany Christian School of Minglanilla Inc. Everything covered in this guidebook builds upon the foundational knowledge your teachers have already established in your classroom.
Your performance and growth as a researcher in this workshop will be directly and personally affected by how attentively you listen to and engage with your classroom teachers. This guidebook cannot replace real instruction. If you are not paying attention in class, if you are skipping discussions, or if you are arriving without foundational knowledge - you will feel that gap here, and it will show in your research.
Marèz Collegium works best when students arrive prepared. Your teacher is your first and most important research mentor. Respect that. Show up. Listen. Take notes.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
Marèz Collegium takes academic integrity with the utmost seriousness. The use of Artificial Intelligence tools - including but not limited to ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, and any other AI writing or content generation platform - is governed by a strict tiered policy. This is not a suggestion. Violations of this policy will result in disqualification from the workshop, forfeiture of any awards, and notification to your school administration.
We are serious about this because research is fundamentally a human act. It requires your thinking, your voice, your reasoning, and your intellectual honesty. AI cannot do that for you - and if you let it try, you will emerge from this workshop having learned nothing.
AI use is strictly prohibited in all forms. Grade 10 is your foundational year. The entire point of the Review of Related Literature is to develop your ability to read, think, and synthesize on your own. Using AI to summarize sources, generate text, or assist in any part of your written work - even partially - constitutes academic dishonesty. Your RRL must be entirely your own writing, in your own words, reflecting your own understanding. No exceptions.
AI is permitted only for grammar and light proofreading. You may use AI tools to check spelling, grammar, and sentence clarity after your paper is written. You may not use AI to generate sentences, paragraphs, interview questions, thematic analyses, or any substantive content. Your qualitative research - the questions you ask, the themes you identify, the interpretations you form - must be entirely yours. Using AI to write or rewrite your analysis is a violation of this policy.
AI is permitted only for data organization and citation formatting. You may use AI tools to help organize raw data into tables, format citations, or check reference accuracy. You may not use AI to write your results section, generate your discussion, interpret your findings, or produce any part of your analytical writing. Statistical analysis must be done using proper tools (spreadsheets, statistical software) - not AI-generated summaries. Your conclusions must reflect your own critical thinking.
The Marèz Excellence Awards & Online Symposium
At the close of the Marèz Collegium Research Workshop, the finest research produced by students of Southern Bethany Christian School of Minglanilla Inc. will be formally recognized through the Marèz Excellence in Scholarly Research Award - one of the most distinguished recognitions a pre-collegiate researcher can receive from this institution. This is not a participation award. It is earned through the quality, rigor, and integrity of your work.
The Award
Marèz Excellence in Scholarly Research Award
Formally conferred upon the top-performing research group in each grade level. Recipients receive an official Certificate of Achievement issued and sealed by Marèz Collegium Des Études Avancées, bearing the names of all group members. The certificate is co-signed by the Founder and Director, Mr. Jose Manuel R. Empleo, J.M., and endorsed by a Research Fellow of the Australian National University (ANU) - lending it the weight of internationally recognized academic credibility. This certificate is a permanent academic credential - one you can include in portfolios, university applications, and professional records.
Who Can Win
One winning group will be selected from each grade level - making three award recipients in total from this workshop:
Awarded to the Grade 10 group that produces the most rigorous, well-synthesized, and clearly argued Review of Related Literature.
Awarded to the Grade 11 group that conducts the most thoughtful, ethically grounded, and analytically rich qualitative research paper.
Awarded to the Grade 12 group that demonstrates the strongest quantitative methodology, analytical depth, and scholarly presentation.
The Online Symposium
Beyond the certificate, each winning group will be extended a formal invitation to present their research at the Marèz Collegium Online Research Symposium - a curated academic event hosted by the Collégium and attended by scholars, researchers, fellows, and academic guests from across its network.
This is not a school presentation. This is a real academic venue. Presenting at the Marèz Symposium means your research will be heard by a community of serious scholars - and that your names will be part of the Collégium's institutional record of distinguished student researchers.
Judges will evaluate research based on four criteria: Clarity of Research Question, Rigor of Methodology, Quality of Analysis, and Academic Integrity. A technically impressive paper with signs of AI use or plagiarism is automatically disqualified. Excellence here means excellence in the fullest sense - honest, original, and well-reasoned scholarship.
What Is a Research Paper?
At its core, a research paper presents a systematic inquiry that explains, describes, controls, and predicts a phenomenon. It requires you to locate information, take a stand on a subject, and provide evidence for that position in an organized and logical manner.
Think of it this way: an essay expresses your opinion. A research paper builds a case - supported by evidence, grounded in existing knowledge, and structured so that anyone reading it can follow your reasoning step by step.
Types of Research Papers
There are several types of research papers. Depending on your grade level and subject area, you will likely write one of the following:
The Literature Review
You dive into a specific area of interest and synthesize the findings from different studies into one new, organized paper. You are not collecting your own data - you are reading, analyzing, and connecting what already exists. This is the most common type at the high school level.
Analysis of Existing Data
You take a publicly available data set and analyze it to answer your research question. This requires both technical and analytical skills.
Collection & Analysis of New Data
You design your own study, collect data (through surveys, interviews, observations), and analyze it. This is more demanding but also more original.
Theoretical Analysis
You deconstruct existing theories or arguments and provide a new perspective on them. Common in the humanities, law, and philosophy.
A solid research paper is typically 15–20 double-spaced pages (approximately 5,000–6,000 words). For high school, a shorter version of 10–15 pages is also acceptable depending on your requirements. Always check with your teacher or mentor.
Your Research Question
A research question is a clear, focused, and arguable question that guides your entire paper. It is not a topic ("climate change") and it is not a statement ("climate change is bad"). It is a specific, answerable question that your research will attempt to address.
Take your time with this. The best researchers spend days - sometimes weeks - refining their question before they write a single word of their paper.
The Four Tests of a Good Research Question
Is it Original?
You do not need to ask something that has never been asked before - but you should add something new to the conversation. Ask yourself: "What questions haven't been asked in this area yet?"
Is it Specific?
Avoid questions that are too broad ("How does poverty affect education?") or too narrow ("What grade did Jose get in Grade 7?"). Find the right level of focus. Your mentor can help with this.
Is it Feasible?
Can you actually answer this question with the time and resources you have? Be realistic. A brilliant question you cannot answer is not useful. A good question you can answer well is far more valuable.
Is it Interesting?
You will spend weeks - possibly months - working on this question. Make sure it is something you genuinely care about. Passion is not a bonus; it is a requirement for good research.
Good vs. Bad Research Questions
"Does using insurance services affect the quality of life for older people?"
Too broad. Can be answered yes or no. "Insurance services" is vague."In what ways does paying for health insurance affect the levels of happiness reported by older people in urban Philippines?"
Specific group, specific variable, open to complex response."How does medication help alleviate ADHD symptoms?"
Too vague - what medication? What population?"How effective are stimulant medications in managing attention and impulsivity in elementary school students with ADHD in public schools?"
Clarifies all variables - the intervention, the population, the outcome."Which words in the English language did Shakespeare invent?"
No originality - you can Google this answer."How was Shakespeare's choice to invent new words shaped by the political and cultural climate of Elizabethan England?"
Requires analysis, not just lookup. Adds interpretive depth.Frame your question so that it guides fact- and analysis-based research. It should not ask for opinions. If someone could answer your question by saying "yes" or "no," it probably needs to be rewritten.
The Components of a Research Paper
Abstract (~100–250 words)
A short summary at the very beginning of your paper. It includes your research question, your method, your main findings, and any key limitations. Write this last - after your paper is done. Think of it as a movie trailer: it tells the reader what is coming without giving everything away.
Introduction
This is where you set the scene. Start broad - what is the bigger field or issue? - then gradually zoom in on your specific topic and question. By the end of your introduction, the reader should know exactly what you are researching and why it matters. Every claim you make must be supported by a reference.
Literature Review
Here you discuss what other researchers have already said about your topic. What do we already know? What are the gaps? This section shows that you have done your reading and that your research is joining an ongoing academic conversation - not starting from zero.
Methods
This section explains how you conducted your research. What did you do, and why did you do it that way? Be specific. Another researcher should be able to read your methods and replicate your study. Include your data sources, your analytical approach, and any tools you used.
Results
Present your findings - clearly and objectively. No opinions here, just what you found. Use tables, graphs, or summaries to make your results easy to understand. Let the data speak for itself in this section.
Discussion
Now you can interpret your results. What do they mean? Do they support your hypothesis? How do they compare to what other researchers have found? What are the limitations of your study? What should future researchers explore? This is where your analytical voice comes through.
Conclusion (1–2 paragraphs)
Zoom back out. Summarize your findings briefly, highlight the implications of your work, and explain why it matters beyond your specific study. This is your final word - make it count.
Grade 10 Focus: The Review of Related Literature
Your research project centers on the Review of Related Literature (RRL). This means your primary task is to find, read, evaluate, and synthesize existing research on your chosen topic.
What Is an RRL?
An RRL is not a list of summaries. That is the most common mistake students make. An RRL is a conversation - between you and the scholars who came before you, and between those scholars themselves. Your job is to show how different studies relate to each other, where they agree, where they disagree, and what gaps still exist.
"Study A says that sleep deprivation affects memory. Study B says that teenagers need 8–10 hours of sleep. Study C says that phone use before bed reduces sleep quality."
You are just listing what each study says. There is no connection."The relationship between sleep and academic performance is well-documented (Study A), but the specific mechanisms by which adolescent phone use disrupts the sleep cycles needed for memory consolidation (Studies B & C) remain underexplored - particularly in low-income school contexts."
You are connecting the studies and pointing to a gap. That is an RRL.How to Read a Source Critically
When you read a study or article for your RRL, ask yourself these four questions:
- What is the main claim? What is the author arguing or concluding?
- What is the evidence? How did they support that claim - data, experiments, other sources?
- What are the limitations? What did they not study? Who was left out? What could have gone wrong?
- How does this connect to my topic? Why does this source matter for your specific research question?
Evaluating Your Sources
Not all sources are equal. Use the CRAAP test to evaluate each source before you include it:
- Currency - When was it published? Is it recent enough for your topic?
- Relevance - Does it directly relate to your research question?
- Authority - Who wrote it? Are they a credible expert? Is it from a peer-reviewed journal?
- Accuracy - Is the information supported by evidence? Are there references?
- Purpose - Why was this written? To inform, persuade, or sell something?
Start with Google Scholar (scholar.google.com). It is free and gives you access to millions of academic papers. Also try PubMed for health topics, JSTOR for humanities, and ResearchGate for science. Your mentor or teacher can also point you to the right databases for your topic.
How to Structure Your RRL
There is no single correct structure, but a common and effective approach is to organize by theme - not by source. Instead of writing "Study 1 says this, Study 2 says that," group your sources by the ideas they address:
- Theme 1: What the literature says about [subtopic A]
- Theme 2: What the literature says about [subtopic B]
- Theme 3: Gaps and contradictions in the existing literature
Did you know that Marèz Collegium offers one of its most prestigious distinctions to researchers just like you? The BIRAM Fellowship (Bourse Internationale de Recherche Académique Marèz) is the highest honor conferred within the Collégium - a permanent institutional recognition for students who demonstrate exceptional intellectual promise, methodological rigor, and genuine scholarly commitment.
All Grade 10, 11, and 12 students are strongly encouraged to explore and apply. The inaugural cohort is currently being formed, and the acceptance rate is highly selective. This is your opportunity to be among the first. Visit marezcollegiumofficial.pages.dev to learn more.
Grade 11 Focus: Qualitative Research
Your research project focuses on qualitative research - a rigorous, systematic approach to understanding human experience, meaning, and social phenomena through non-numerical data.
What Is Qualitative Research?
Qualitative research asks the questions that numbers cannot answer: Why do people do this? What does this experience mean to them? How do they make sense of their world?
It is not the "easier" version of quantitative research. It is a completely different - and equally rigorous - way of knowing. Where quantitative research measures, qualitative research listens. Where quantitative research proves, qualitative research understands.
The Main Qualitative Methods
In-Depth Interviews
One-on-one conversations with participants where you ask open-ended questions and let them speak freely. The goal is to understand their personal experience and perspective. You are not leading them to a specific answer - you are listening.
Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)
A structured conversation with a small group of participants (usually 6–10). You explore how people discuss and negotiate ideas together. FGDs are great for understanding shared experiences and community perspectives.
Observation
You observe people in their natural setting without directly intervening. You record what you see, hear, and notice. This is especially useful when what people do differs from what they say they do.
Thematic Analysis
After collecting your data (transcripts, notes, documents), you read through it multiple times and identify recurring patterns or themes. These themes become the framework for your results and discussion.
Writing a Strong Qualitative Research Question
Qualitative research questions are open-ended, experience-focused, and contextually grounded. They begin with "How," "What," or "In what ways" - never "Does" or "Is" (those lead to yes/no answers, which is quantitative territory).
"Do students like school?"
Yes/no. No depth. No context."How do Grade 11 students in public schools in Minglanilla make sense of academic pressure in relation to their family expectations?"
Open-ended, experience-focused, grounded in a specific context and population.Research Ethics in Qualitative Studies
When your data involves real people, you carry a serious ethical responsibility. This is not optional - it is a fundamental part of being a researcher.
- Informed Consent: Your participants must know what the research is about and agree to participate freely. They must know they can stop at any time.
- Confidentiality: Protect your participants' identities. Use pseudonyms in your paper. Do not share their personal information.
- Do No Harm: Your research must not put participants at risk - physically, emotionally, or socially.
- Honest Representation: Report what your participants actually said and meant. Do not distort their words to fit your argument.
During your data collection phase, it is highly encouraged to gather primary data from within your local or regional community. Interviews and observations conducted within your immediate environment are not only accessible - they are often more authentic, contextually rich, and personally meaningful. Do not underestimate the academic value of the world right outside your door.
However, if your data is gathered entirely from your closest community, you must be deliberate about defining and justifying your scope. Clearly state in your Methods section that your study is bounded by a specific geographic area, community, or population - and explain why this scope is appropriate for your research question. A well-scoped local study is academically sound. An unacknowledged limitation is not.
A word of collective awareness: When every researcher in a group defaults to their immediate surroundings without reflection, the body of work produced tends to mirror the same geographic and cultural lens. As a Marèz scholar, you are encouraged to think beyond - even when your data begins close to home.
Did you know that Marèz Collegium offers one of its most prestigious distinctions to researchers just like you? The BIRAM Fellowship (Bourse Internationale de Recherche Académique Marèz) is the highest honor conferred within the Collégium - a permanent institutional recognition for students who demonstrate exceptional intellectual promise, methodological rigor, and genuine scholarly commitment.
All Grade 10, 11, and 12 students are strongly encouraged to explore and apply. The inaugural cohort is currently being formed, and the acceptance rate is highly selective. This is your opportunity to be among the first. Visit marezcollegiumofficial.pages.dev to learn more.
Grade 12 Focus: Quantitative Research
Your research project focuses on quantitative research - a systematic approach to answering questions through numerical data, statistical analysis, and measurable evidence.
What Is Quantitative Research?
Quantitative research measures things. It asks: How many? How often? To what degree? Is there a relationship between X and Y? It is grounded in the belief that the world contains patterns we can observe, measure, and analyze - and that rigorous measurement produces reliable knowledge.
Quantitative research is not just for scientists. Researchers in education, public health, political science, economics, and many other fields use quantitative methods to understand social phenomena through numbers.
Key Concepts You Must Know
Variables
A variable is anything that can change or vary. Your Independent Variable (IV) is the thing you are testing or manipulating. Your Dependent Variable (DV) is the thing you are measuring - what you expect to be affected by the IV.
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a testable prediction. Your null hypothesis (H₀) says there is no relationship between your variables. Your alternative hypothesis (H₁) says there is a relationship. Your data will help you determine which one to support.
Sampling
You almost never study an entire population - you study a sample. A random sample gives everyone an equal chance of being selected (most reliable). A convenience sample uses whoever is easily available (less reliable but common in school research).
Correlation vs. Causation
This is the most important distinction in quantitative research. Just because two things are related does not mean one causes the other. Ice cream sales and drowning rates are correlated - but ice cream does not cause drowning (both go up in summer). Always be careful about claiming causation unless your study is specifically designed to prove it.
Validity & Reliability
Validity means you are measuring what you claim to be measuring. Reliability means your measurement produces consistent results. A good study needs both.
Common Data Collection Methods
- Surveys and Questionnaires: The most common method at the high school level. Design questions carefully - avoid leading language and ambiguous wording.
- Observation Checklists: Structured observation tools where you record specific behaviors or events.
- Existing Data Sets: Use data that has already been collected - government statistics, academic databases, publicly available records.
It is highly encouraged that researchers gather primary quantitative data - surveys, observation checklists, measurements - from within their local or regional community. This is practical, accessible, and often yields the most honest and relevant results for pre-collegiate researchers.
That said, when your data is sourced primarily from your immediate area, your scope must be explicitly defined in your Methods section. Specify your geographic boundary, your population, and why this scope is sufficient to answer your research question. Do not treat local data as a shortcut - treat it as a deliberate and justified methodological choice.
Collective note: If all researchers in a workshop default to their nearest community without defining scope, the resulting studies risk becoming geographically homogeneous. Marèz encourages each researcher to ask: Is my scope a conscious decision or a default? Both can be valid - but only one is rigorous.
Did you know that Marèz Collegium offers one of its most prestigious distinctions to researchers just like you? The BIRAM Fellowship (Bourse Internationale de Recherche Académique Marèz) is the highest honor conferred within the Collégium - a permanent institutional recognition for students who demonstrate exceptional intellectual promise, methodological rigor, and genuine scholarly commitment.
All Grade 10, 11, and 12 students are strongly encouraged to explore and apply. The inaugural cohort is currently being formed, and the acceptance rate is highly selective. This is your opportunity to be among the first. Visit marezcollegiumofficial.pages.dev to learn more.
How to Read Your Results
When you analyze your data, you will encounter numbers. Here is how to approach them honestly:
- Describe what the numbers show - do not jump immediately to interpretation.
- Look for patterns, trends, and outliers.
- Acknowledge what the data does NOT tell you as much as what it does.
- Statistical significance does not automatically mean practical significance. A result can be statistically significant but too small to matter in real life.
In 2015, a study claiming chocolate causes weight loss fooled major international media. The study was a real hoax - designed to show how easy it is to manipulate statistics and mislead the public. Always ask: Who conducted this study? What was their sample size? Who funded it? Good quantitative researchers are critical of their own data.
The Research Proposal
A research proposal is a 2–3 page document that outlines your plan for your research paper. It helps you articulate what you are researching, how you plan to do it, and what challenges you might face. A good proposal also gives you material you can directly use in your final paper.
Structure of a Research Proposal
The Research Question (~20 words)
Write your research question clearly and concisely. This is your North Star - every decision you make about your research should connect back to this question.
Research Methods (~100 words)
Describe how you will answer your question. Will you do a literature review? Conduct interviews? Analyze existing data? Design a survey? Be specific about your approach.
Academic Context (~400 words)
What does the world already know about your topic? Identify 3–4 existing studies related to your question and write a 2-sentence summary of each. This shows you have done your reading and that your research is entering an existing conversation.
How Your Research Fits (~200 words)
Given what already exists, what does your research add? What gap are you filling? What new perspective or analysis are you bringing to the table?
Timeline
Create a week-by-week plan. What will you accomplish each week to ensure your paper is finished on time? Be realistic. Include buffer weeks for revision.
Publication Goals (~100 words)
Do you want to submit your paper for publication? If yes, identify a target journal or publication that accepts student or pre-collegiate research. Look at their formatting requirements and note if you will need to adjust your structure.
Roadblocks & Concerns (~150 words)
Imagine it is the end of your research period and you did not finish. Why did that happen? This is called a "pre-mortem." Identify your biggest risks in advance - limited access to sources, time constraints, technical skills - and write down how you plan to address each one.
The Paper Outline
The paper outline is a detailed plan of what your paper will look like - section by section, argument by argument. A good outline is your best tool for avoiding the most common research writing problem: staring at a blank page.
What to Include in Your Outline
Your Research Question
Restate it here. Feel free to update it from your proposal - your thinking will have evolved. Make sure it still accurately reflects what your paper is about.
Section Headings & Content
List every major section of your paper. Under each one, write 2–3 sentences about what you will argue or present in that section. Then add at least one concrete next step - what do you need to do to write that section? (e.g., "I need to read 3 more papers on this subtopic" or "I need to clean my survey data.")
Data Availability (Grade 12)
If your paper involves quantitative data analysis, confirm here: which data set will you use? Do you already have access to it? Data cleaning takes time - if you do not have a data set at the outline stage, reconsider your approach.
Technical Skills Required
Does your paper require any specific technical skills - statistical software, coding, data visualization? Do you have those skills? If not, what is your plan for acquiring them?
Proposed Milestones
Set checkpoint goals for the next 3 weeks. What will you have completed by the end of each week? Share this with your mentor or teacher so they can hold you accountable.
Citations
A citation tells your reader where your information came from. It credits the original authors, allows readers to verify your claims, and protects you from plagiarism. If you use someone else's idea - even if you put it in your own words - you must cite it.
Plagiarism - using someone else's work without credit - is one of the most serious violations in academic research. It can result in disqualification, loss of credibility, and in professional settings, the retraction of published papers. Always cite. When in doubt, cite.
The Three Main Citation Styles
APA
Used in: Education, Psychology, Sciences, Social Sciences
American Psychological Association format. Most common in research papers at the high school and university level.
MLA
Used in: Humanities, Literature, Language Arts
Modern Language Association format. Common in essays and papers in the arts and humanities.
Chicago / Turabian
Used in: History, Business, Fine Arts, Law
A flexible format used widely in the humanities and social sciences, especially in professional and academic publishing.
Always check with your teacher or mentor which citation style is required for your paper - and if you are submitting to a journal, check the journal's formatting guidelines.
Two Ways You Cite
1. In-Text Citations
Every time you use an idea, fact, statistic, or quote from a source, you add a brief citation in the text itself. In APA format, this looks like: (Author, Year). Example:
"Sleep deprivation significantly impairs memory consolidation in adolescents (Walker, 2017)."
2. Works Cited / Reference List
At the end of your paper, you include a complete list of every source you cited in the text. Each source appears only once, in alphabetical order. This is called the Works Cited (MLA), References (APA), or Bibliography (Chicago).
Zotero (free) - automatically collects and formats your citations as you research. Highly recommended. Google Scholar also has a "Cite" button under each result that gives you a pre-formatted citation in APA, MLA, or Chicago. Always double-check auto-generated citations - they sometimes have errors.
Quick Reference Links
- APA: pitt.libguides.com/citationhelp/apa7
- MLA: pitt.libguides.com/citationhelp/mla8thedition
- Chicago: pitt.libguides.com/c.php?g=12108&p=64732
Editing & Revision
Most students think writing a paper means writing a draft and submitting it. Professional researchers know that the draft is just the beginning. Revision and editing are where a paper goes from acceptable to excellent.
There is a crucial difference between the two:
- Revision is big-picture - content, structure, argument, flow.
- Editing is surface-level - grammar, spelling, punctuation, formatting.
Always revise before you edit. There is no point perfecting a sentence that you might cut.
Stage 1: Revision - The Three R's
Reorganize
Does your paper flow logically? Does each section lead naturally into the next? Move sections or paragraphs if needed.
Refine
Is your argument clear and strong? Is your evidence well-chosen? Are your claims fully supported? Strengthen what is weak.
Remove
Cut anything that does not serve your research question. If a sentence or paragraph does not add value, remove it. Less is often more.
Revision Questions to Ask Yourself
- Have someone read your paper aloud to you. Does it sound right?
- If you had to present this paper to an audience in 5 minutes, would they understand your argument?
- Who is your intended reader? Do they have everything they need to follow your work?
- Create a fresh outline from your draft. Does it match your original plan? Have you covered everything?
Stage 2: Editing
Once you are satisfied with your content, edit for surface-level issues:
- Is your grammar consistent throughout?
- Are spelling and punctuation correct?
- Are you writing in active voice, not passive? ("The researcher conducted the study" not "The study was conducted by the researcher.")
- Is your language objective and academic in tone?
- Are all citations properly formatted and present?
Read your paper backwards - start from the last sentence and work to the first. This forces you to slow down and process each sentence on its own, which helps you catch errors you would normally miss. Even better: read the whole paper aloud.
Marèz Journal Citation Guide
Citation is not a formality - it is an act of scholarly honesty. Before you submit to any Marèz journal, you must ensure that every source in your paper is cited according to the style prescribed for that journal. Submitting with the wrong citation format will result in your paper being returned for revision before it enters peer review.
Each journal below offers a primary citation style - the preferred and most recognized standard in that field - as well as two accepted alternatives for students whose research may cross disciplinary boundaries. When in doubt, always use the primary style.
⚖ Journal of Law & Global Governance
Legal Scholarship · Policy Analysis · International Relations
Primary: The Bluebook (21st Edition)
The gold standard for legal citation worldwide, used by law journals, courts, and legal scholars. Bluebook governs how cases, statutes, treaties, and secondary sources are cited.
Journal article: Author Surname, First Name, Title of Article, Volume Journal Abbreviation Page (Year).
Example: Santos, Maria R., Climate Accountability in ASEAN Legal Frameworks, 12 Asian J. Int'l L. 45 (2023).
Alternative 1: Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography)
Widely used in political science and international studies. Preferred when your paper engages more with policy analysis than strict legal doctrine.
Journal article: Author Surname, First Name. "Title of Article." Journal Name Volume, no. Issue (Year): Pages.
Example: Santos, Maria R. "Climate Accountability in ASEAN Legal Frameworks." Asian Journal of International Law 12, no. 1 (2023): 45-67.
Alternative 2: APA 7th Edition
Acceptable when your paper takes a social science approach to legal or governance questions, such as empirical studies of policy impact or institutional behavior.
Journal article: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx
Example: Santos, M. R. (2023). Climate accountability in ASEAN legal frameworks. Asian Journal of International Law, 12(1), 45-67.
🧬 Journal of Life Sciences & Health
Biology · Medicine · Public Health · Environmental Science
Primary: Vancouver Style (ICMJE)
The international standard for biomedical and health sciences, used by journals such as The Lancet, NEJM, and PubMed-indexed publications. Citations are numbered sequentially in the text.
Journal article: Author AA, Author BB. Title of article. Journal Abbreviation. Year;Volume(Issue):Pages.
Example: Reyes JL, Cruz MP. Dengue incidence and rainfall patterns in urban Cebu. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2023;54(2):112-9.
Alternative 1: APA 7th Edition
Appropriate for health psychology, behavioral health, and public health research with a social science orientation.
Journal article: Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Pages.
Example: Reyes, J. L., & Cruz, M. P. (2023). Dengue incidence and rainfall patterns in urban Cebu. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 54(2), 112-119.
Alternative 2: CSE (Council of Science Editors) - Citation-Sequence
Used in biological and environmental sciences, particularly for ecology, botany, and zoology-focused research papers.
Journal article: Author AA, Author BB. Year. Title of article. Journal Name. Volume(Issue):Pages.
Example: Reyes JL, Cruz MP. 2023. Dengue incidence and rainfall patterns in urban Cebu. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health. 54(2):112-119.
🔬 Journal of Physical & Mathematical Sciences
Physics · Chemistry · Mathematics · Earth Sciences
Primary: APA 7th Edition
The most widely adopted standard in the physical and social sciences, endorsed by the American Psychological Association and used across thousands of peer-reviewed journals globally.
Journal article: Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx
Example: Lim, A. T., & Garcia, R. S. (2023). Thermal conductivity of modified bamboo composites at low temperatures. Journal of Applied Physics, 134(3), 034501.
Alternative 1: IEEE Style
Widely used in applied physics and computational mathematics, particularly when your paper intersects with engineering applications or computational modeling.
Journal article: A. A. Author and B. B. Author, "Title of article," Journal Name, vol. X, no. X, pp. xxx-xxx, Mon. Year.
Example: A. T. Lim and R. S. Garcia, "Thermal conductivity of modified bamboo composites at low temperatures," J. Appl. Phys., vol. 134, no. 3, pp. 034501, Jul. 2023.
Alternative 2: ACS (American Chemical Society) Style
The standard for chemistry and materials science research. Use this if your paper deals primarily with chemical analysis, molecular studies, or materials characterization.
Journal article: Author, A. A.; Author, B. B. Title of Article. Journal Abbreviation Year, Volume, Pages.
Example: Lim, A. T.; Garcia, R. S. Thermal Conductivity of Modified Bamboo Composites at Low Temperatures. J. Appl. Phys. 2023, 134, 034501.
🚀 Journal of Aerospace & Emerging Technologies
Engineering · Aerospace · Computer Science · Innovation
Primary: IEEE Style
The definitive citation standard for engineering, computer science, and technology disciplines - used by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and adopted by thousands of technical journals globally.
Journal article: A. A. Author and B. B. Author, "Title of article," Journal Name, vol. X, no. X, pp. xxx-xxx, Mon. Year, doi: xxxxx.
Example: J. D. Manalo and C. R. Uy, "Low-cost stratospheric balloon payload design for upper-atmosphere sensing," IEEE Trans. Aerosp. Electron. Syst., vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 1023-1031, Apr. 2023.
Alternative 1: APA 7th Edition
Appropriate for technology policy, human-computer interaction, and emerging technology ethics papers where the social science dimension is prominent.
Journal article: Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx
Example: Manalo, J. D., & Uy, C. R. (2023). Low-cost stratospheric balloon payload design for upper-atmosphere sensing. IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems, 59(2), 1023-1031.
Alternative 2: AIAA Style (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics)
The specialized citation format for aerospace engineering and astronautics research. Use this if your paper deals specifically with flight, propulsion, orbital mechanics, or space systems.
Journal article: Author, A. A., and Author, B. B., "Title of Article," Journal Name, Vol. X, No. X, Year, pp. xxx-xxx. doi:xxxxx
Example: Manalo, J. D., and Uy, C. R., "Low-Cost Stratospheric Balloon Payload Design for Upper-Atmosphere Sensing," Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 59, No. 2, 2023, pp. 1023-1031.
📜 Journal of Humanities & Analytical Studies
Literature · Philosophy · History · Sociology · Cultural Studies
Primary: Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography)
The standard for humanities scholarship worldwide, used by historians, literary scholars, philosophers, and cultural researchers. Chicago's footnote system allows for nuanced commentary alongside citations.
Journal article (footnote): First Name Surname, "Title of Article," Journal Name Volume, no. Issue (Year): Page.
Bibliography: Surname, First Name. "Title of Article." Journal Name Volume, no. Issue (Year): Pages.
Example: Dela Cruz, Ana P. "Oral Tradition and Identity Formation in Visayan Communities." Philippine Humanities Review 25, no. 1 (2023): 12-34.
Alternative 1: MLA 9th Edition
The Modern Language Association format, widely used in literary studies, linguistics, and cultural analysis. MLA is preferred when your paper centers on textual analysis or comparative literature.
Journal article: Author Last, First. "Title of Article." Journal Name, vol. X, no. X, Year, pp. xxx-xxx.
Example: Dela Cruz, Ana P. "Oral Tradition and Identity Formation in Visayan Communities." Philippine Humanities Review, vol. 25, no. 1, 2023, pp. 12-34.
Alternative 2: APA 7th Edition
Suitable when your humanities paper uses quantitative or empirical methods - such as sociological surveys, content analysis with coded data, or psychological frameworks applied to cultural phenomena.
Journal article: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx
Example: Dela Cruz, A. P. (2023). Oral tradition and identity formation in Visayan communities. Philippine Humanities Review, 25(1), 12-34.
If your topic crosses multiple fields - for example, a study on the legal implications of AI in healthcare - choose the journal whose domain most closely matches your primary research question, then follow that journal's citation style throughout. Consistency is non-negotiable. Do not mix citation styles within a single paper. If you are unsure, consult the Marèz submission guidelines at marezcollegiumofficial.pages.dev.
Getting Published
Publication is the final step in the research process - and one of the most meaningful. When you publish your work, you are contributing to the global body of knowledge. You are saying: this is my inquiry, this is what I found, and it deserves to be read.
Publication is not reserved for professors. High school researchers publish every year in student journals, pre-collegiate publications, and even peer-reviewed academic journals. You are not too young. You are not too inexperienced. You need only to do the work well.
Types of Publication Targets
Student & Pre-Collegiate Journals
Journals specifically designed for high school and undergraduate researchers. They apply peer review processes adapted for your level. These are the most accessible starting point and still carry real academic credibility.
Open-Access Academic Journals
Freely available online, these journals reach global audiences. Some accept submissions from pre-collegiate researchers, especially for strong, well-supported papers. Check their submission guidelines carefully.
Academic Conferences
Many regional and international conferences accept student paper presentations. This is a powerful way to share your research, receive feedback, and build your academic network.
Research Competitions
Local, national, and international research competitions - including those run by universities and government agencies - provide platforms for student research and often come with recognition and prizes.
Collégium Marèz Journals
The Collégium operates five integrated journals across Law & Global Governance, Life Sciences & Health, Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Aerospace & Emerging Technologies, and Humanities & Analytical Studies. These are specifically designed to publish the work of high school and pre-collegiate researchers - including you.
The Publication Process
The world's most cited papers were rejected before they were published. Rejection does not mean your research is bad - it means one journal, at one moment, made one decision. Always have a backup submission target. Always revise and try again.
Final Words
Research is not something that happens to you. It is something you do - actively, deliberately, and with genuine curiosity about the world. Every great paper begins the same way: with a person who had a question and refused to let it go unanswered.
You are now holding the map. The territory is yours to explore.
The Collégium Marèz was built for researchers like you - students from communities that the academic world has not always seen, whose ideas deserve to be heard, whose questions deserve to be answered, and whose work deserves to be published. We did not build this institution for the already-recognized. We built it for you.
So begin. Write your question. Read the literature. Build your argument. Revise until it is clear. Cite your sources. Submit your work. And when the world finally reads what you have written - and it will - know that it started here, with you, asking something worth asking.
We are proud to walk alongside you.
Collégium Marèz des Études Avancées