Formal Research Paper

What is a formal research paper? What it is: Combination of research, critical thinking, source evaluation, organization, and writing skills Living, breathing thing that changes as you learn more What it is not: Book report Opinion piece Your interpretation of an issue The goal of a research paper is not to inform the reader what others have to say about a topic, but to draw on what others have to say about a topic and engage the sources in order to thoughtfully offer a unique perspective on the issue at hand. This is accomplished through two major types of research papers.

Two main types: Argumentative papers Analytical papers -take a position (the death penalty should be abolished, teachers should not be armed, marijuana should be legal) Analytical papers - define something & break it down (the various interpretations of a particular poem, scientific evidence in support of and against anthropogenic global warming)

Practice civil discourse The act of engaging in dialogue on important issues to help enhance understanding Acknowledge there are multiple perspectives on an issue

Defining and Narrowing a Topic Find something you have a strong interest in (global warming, environmental impact of mountain biking, nutritional value of school lunch) Start thinking of questions you have on that topic If you can’t find a topic, try looking here: SIRS Issues Researcher

Credibility Definition: 1.capable of being believed; believable: a credible statement. 2.worthy of belief or confidence; trustworthy: a credible witness. Credibility is important! If your research is flawed, so is your argument. If you use credible sources, you can believe them, and your readers can believe you.

Types of sources: Primary: Secondary: The most reliable source of information; very highly credible, usually no bias Original source material Original research Government publications Interviews Secondary: Usually reliable; typically very credible, but may be biased Summarizes original source material; adds commentary Newspapers, magazines, television & online news

Types of sources: Tertiary: The least reliable sources of information; varying degrees of credibility, typically high degrees of bias THIS IS WHERE WE GET SO MUCH INFORMATION FROM!! Social media News commentary shows (Rachel Maddow, Tucker Carlson) Online media companies (Axios, Vox, Young Turks) Blog posts NEVER, EVER, EVER USE THESE IN FORMAL RESEARCH!!! VERIFY, VERIFY, VERIFY!!!

How do I know if my sources are credible? Most books you find in library nonfiction are credible. Most newspapers are credible. New York Times Washington Post Rapid City Journal Scholarly journals are usually credible. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) Most government publications are credible. Reputable organizations are usually credible. American Cancer Society World Health Organization American Red Cross Most information from colleges is credible. .edu websites

Credible Internet Sources Ways to tell a credible internet source: Looks professional The website doesn’t look like it was made by a 4- year-old with a crayon All or most links are working Information offered is easy to verify The website offers links to where they found their information The sources of their information is also credible

Credible Internet Sources It is easy to contact the owners of the website for more information or to ask questions The site is up to date Information from 2004 is not listed as “recent” There are no errors The site uses proper spelling and grammar The website is appropriate There is no inappropriate language, graphics, or photos

Credible Internet Sources These guidelines are not 100% When in doubt, ask for help from a teacher or librarian If you’re still not sure, DON’T use it Be careful with .com sites All .com sites are trying to sell something, which means they are all biased in some way Sites with lots of advertisements are usually less credible

Additional Tips: Never Use Personal Pronouns in Research Papers. “I think, You will agree,” etc. If you’re citing the works of a group of researchers, don’t state “they found.” State instead, “The group concluded,” or “It was determined.” Remain totally objective - your credibility is at stake. If you cite research that supports your thesis, then you should also cite works that support the opposition.