The Research Paper
Seaber
Explanation: Throughout your college years, and perhaps even your career, you will be asked to research a variety of topics. To research a topic is to accumulate all the information on that subject that you can find, study it, and then synthesize the findings into a theory of your own (i.e. formulate your own evaluation of the findings). Researching is an arduous task that can take long hours, even in this day and age of the Internet. But, the rewards of properly researching a topic are well worth the effort. When you complete your project, you will know your topic thoroughly and will have formulated your own judgments surrounding your subject matter. In other words, for perhaps the first time you will be discovering knowledge and creating new information completely on your own.
Assignment: The Research Paper is a semester long project. You will be instructed throughout the semester in methods of research. Basically, you will choose a subject and narrow it down to a manageable research topic. (The particulars of choosing your topic will be discussed in class.) You will then research that topic using primarily the library and the Internet, but perhaps you will also implement your own surveys, interviews, and/or other research methods and materials as needed. During the research process, you will compose and maintain an annotated bibliography which will be due before the final draft of your Research Paper is due.
After compiling and beginning to read the research materials you have collected, you will formulate a working thesis based on how you synthesize the findings into a theory of your own. You will take a position in your theory. In other words, you will become enough of an expert on your subject matter that you will attempt to persuade readers of your research paper to your point of view. In addition, you will take meticulous notes as you perform your research and read various materials, mainly so you will be able to quote, paraphrase, and/or summarize outside resources when you draft your paper. Note taking also minimizes the potential for unintentional plagiarism, and it helps you organize both your materials and your thoughts.
Writing the Research Paper itself is the last step of the research project. By the time you begin drafting the paper, you should have revised your working thesis into a final thesis. You will then report the findings of your research and argue your position as stated in your thesis. Remember: The Research Paper is not just a compilation of facts that you have discovered. It is also a discussion of how you interpret the information. It should demonstrate your position (i.e. your stance, your opinion or judgment) on your topic (Your position should be stated with authority—NOT “I believe human trafficking should be stopped.” Instead: Human trafficking is a subversive form of slavery that can only be stopped with international cooperation.) Finally, it should provide evidence and support for the position you have taken.
Other Details:
Length: The Research Paper should be 8 to 10 typed pages, excluding the References page (i.e. 8 – 10 pages of text; the references page is extra).
Format: APA format must be properly adhered to. Failure to use proper citations and failure to properly document your sources WILL LOWER YOUR GRADE.
Resources: You must cite at least ten outside sources in your paper, absolutely no more than half of which may be Internet sources. Your sources must be credible, authoritative, and verifiable. A variety of sources including books, peer reviewed journal articles, newspaper and periodical pieces, and encyclopedia information, to name but a few, are available to you---use them! (NOTE: EBSCO, World Cat and other library subscription data bases are NOT considered internet sources.)
EVALUATION:
Focus: The thesis is formulated as an educated evaluation of the research findings. The contents of the paper support the thesis statement and do not stray off topic.
Thesis: The thesis statement is found in the introduction. The thesis statement is well-formulated, well- stated, and easily identifiable. It is an interpretation of the research findings—your own, unique interpretation/theory. The thesis states an arguable claim.
Content: The text of the paper not only renders the research findings, it also
interprets the findings in support of the thesis. In addition, the text is persuasive. It attempts to lead the reader to the author's point of view without sounding argumentative. In other words, the research paper IS NOT JUST A REPORT!
Rather than only reporting facts, the research paper analyzes them and synthesizes them into a
unique perspective of the author's rendering, ultimately supporting the thesis.
APA Format: APA format is properly adhered to throughout the paper. (No title page required.)
Additional Format Issues: All supporting materials requested by the instructor are submitted with the research paper, including, but not limited to, research notes, outline, time-line journal, and copies of/links to articles used.
Resources: At least 10 sources are used, no more than half from the Internet.
Mechanics, etc: As always, the paper should be clean—no major errors in punctuation, grammar, usage, mechanics, etc.
PACE YOURSELF! This project is time-consuming. Do not procrastinate—to do so may result in failure because you simply will not have enough time to research and write a good paper!