Well, first, I'm a middle school student. So, if I get this wrong, forgive me. If I get it right, be proud of me!! Because you're a collage student. Much older than I am.
Anyway!! A strong thesis statement is one that is arguable, and is not something that everyone believes to be true. Weak statements make no claims, are obviously true or is a statement of a fact, or restates conventional wisdom.
So, when writing a research paper, make sure to use a statement that is arguable and something that everyone's believes to be true.
Hope I helped!!