Todd Wehr Memorial Library Viterbo University Humanities and Social Science 1

Todd Wehr Memorial Library Viterbo University General Comments Research styles and types can vary in each discipline. Research can be inconclusive or theses can change. Research helps you tell your story in a common structure. Don’t forget that you can consult with a librarian to uncover the resources you need! ◦ 2

Todd Wehr Memorial Library Viterbo University Humanities 3

Todd Wehr Memorial Library Viterbo University Purpose of a Humanities Paper Knowledge is developed through observation, reflection, and analysis. Focus: interpretation of texts, themes or ideas. Build from existing data and to expand knowledge through new insight. 4

Todd Wehr Memorial Library Viterbo University Anatomy of a Humanities Research Paper Introduction Body Conclusion References 5

Todd Wehr Memorial Library Viterbo University Introduction Tell them what you are going to tell them. What does your research focus on? General introduction to the boundaries of the discussion: setting up the frame of the exploration/argument/discussion, and your thesis. 6

Todd Wehr Memorial Library Viterbo University Body Exploration of your thesis, supported by evidence. ◦Evidence from a source text. ◦Evidence from other research sources. Critical points of your argument, building towards the proof of your thesis. 7

Todd Wehr Memorial Library Viterbo University Conclusion & References Tell them what you told them. Re-state thesis and critical conclusions. Citations for all items you used in your work. 8

Todd Wehr Memorial Library Viterbo University Social Sciences 9

Todd Wehr Memorial Library Viterbo University Purpose of a Social Sciences Paper Controlled investigation and inquiry in order to clarify social issues. Variety of qualitative and quantitative methods used: ◦Surveys, interviews, experiments, observations, etc. If hypothesis based, similar to scientific papers. If a case study or literature analysis, similar to humanities. 10

Todd Wehr Memorial Library Viterbo University Anatomy of a Social Sciences Research Paper (hypothesis based) Background/Introduction Literature Review Methodology Results Discussion Conclusion References 11

Todd Wehr Memorial Library Viterbo University Background/Introduction Tell them what you are going to tell them. What is your thesis, or what does your research focus on? Why is your work important/unique? 12

Todd Wehr Memorial Library Viterbo University Literature Review “Standing on the shoulders of giants” What research has been done around your topic? What are gaps in current scholarship? What unique contribution does your work have? 13

Todd Wehr Memorial Library Viterbo University Methodology/Hypothesis What you planned to show with your research. An expansion of your thesis into specific details. Description of how you gathered information/sources studied/populations observed, etc. 14

Todd Wehr Memorial Library Viterbo University Results Statistical or descriptive data on what you found. Specifically addresses Methodology/Hypothesis questions. Not the spot for interpretation. 15

Todd Wehr Memorial Library Viterbo University Discussion How does your Results impact your Methodology/Hypothesis/Thesis? What did you discover? Was your thesis challenged, validated, or a little of both? Integrate research from literature review to tie your work back to the body of scholarship. 16

Todd Wehr Memorial Library Viterbo University Conclusion & References Tell them what you told them. Lessons Learned Possibilities for future research. Citations for all items you used in your work. 17

Todd Wehr Memorial Library Viterbo University Questions? Gretel Stock-Kupperman MRC 109 (Library) 18