POSC 2200 – Research Essays Russell Alan Williams Department of Political Science

POSC 2200: Research Essays Outline: 1. Assignment & Due Date 2. Essential Elements 3. Research? 4. Style Guide 5. Plagiarism

1) Assignment & Due Date: Requirements: Approximately 2,500 words (+/- 500 words) Approximately 2,500 words (+/- 500 words) Minimum of seven separate sources in citations & bibliography Minimum of seven separate sources in citations & bibliography Should be formatted in the style of a formal research paper Should be formatted in the style of a formal research paper Due Date: In class, November 13 – Do not it to me! In class, November 13 – Do not it to me! Late penalty is 5% per day! Late penalty is 5% per day!

2) Essential Elements: Core argument – introduced by thesis statement near the start of the essay Core argument – introduced by thesis statement near the start of the essay What do you want to convince the reader of? What do you want to convince the reader of? Argument supported by research throughout the body of the paper... Argument supported by research throughout the body of the paper... Conclusion Conclusion Reiterates central argument and explains how your essay has supported that argument Reiterates central argument and explains how your essay has supported that argument

Start by picking a topic... 2) ESSAY TOPICS: Please select one of the following questions as the topic of your research paper: Contemporary topics: Will the U.S. win the “ war on terror ” ? Will the U.S. win the “ war on terror ” ? Was the “ Bush Doctrine ” Realist? Was the “ Bush Doctrine ” Realist? Why did the US occupy Iraq in 2003? Why did the US occupy Iraq in 2003? Why did Canada not join in occupying Iraq in 2003? Why did Canada not join in occupying Iraq in 2003? Is China a “ superpower ” ? Is China a “ superpower ” ? Is the Nuclear Non Proliferation Regime failing? Is the Nuclear Non Proliferation Regime failing? -All topics in the handout will be touched on in class.... -All will make “ good ” research papers and are “ topical ”.... Note: You can choose your own topic

Start by picking a topic... Why did Canada not join in occupying Iraq in 2003? Why did Canada not join in occupying Iraq in 2003? What do you want to convince the reader of? What do you want to convince the reader of? Thesis Statement? Should make your point clearly! Thesis Statement? Should make your point clearly! Which of these has a clear thesis: Which of these has a clear thesis:

Start by picking a topic... Why did Canada not join in occupying Iraq in 2003? Why did Canada not join in occupying Iraq in 2003? What do you want to convince the reader of? What do you want to convince the reader of? Thesis Statement? Should make your point clearly! Thesis Statement? Should make your point clearly! Which of these has a clear thesis: Which of these has a clear thesis: “ Canada did not join in the American-led invasion of Iraq. Various explanations have been made to explain why the Government decided not to participate. This paper will summarize those explanations. ” “ Canada did not join in the American-led invasion of Iraq. While a number of factors influenced the government in its decision to not participate, this paper will argue that the most important explanation was that the government felt that it could not participate in a war that had not been authorized by the United Nations. ”

3) Research? Can be drawn from a variety of sources – no limitations Can be drawn from a variety of sources – no limitations Newspaper articles and web sources are also appropriate Newspaper articles and web sources are also appropriate No Wikipedia or encyclopedia entries!!!! No Wikipedia or encyclopedia entries!!!!Wikipedia Books & journal articles (Try Google Scholar) Books & journal articles (Try Google Scholar)Google ScholarGoogle Scholar Key: Materials must be accessible.... Key: Materials must be accessible.... Internet sources should include full html and date in your Bibliography/Works Cited section Internet sources should include full html and date in your Bibliography/Works Cited section Tip: Seven sources only a minimum - more is better!

3) “ Style Guide ” ? Any recognized style is fine... Any recognized style is fine... Many style guides are available, try the Mapping Politics – POSC student journal style guide: Many style guides are available, try the Mapping Politics – POSC student journal style guide: Tip:Pick one style and learn to use it correctly!

Citations? When to cite and when not to...? Example: Quote from Vucetic (2011, p. 144): “... overall, the government’s decision to sit out of the Iraq war was consistent with the dominant reading of Canadian identity. In other words, the dominance of the liberal discourse made the decision more likely.” = Footnote/Citation required Paraphrase: Vucetic argues that the decision to stay out of the Iraq War was caused by the basic Canadian identity, or image of Canada in the world. = ?

Citations? When to cite and when not to...? Example: Quote from Vucetic (2011, p. 144): “... overall, the government’s decision to sit out of the Iraq war was consistent with the dominant reading of Canadian identity. In other words, the dominance of the liberal discourse made the decision more likely.” = Footnote/Citation required Paraphrase: Vucetic (2011) argues that the decision to stay out of the Iraq War was caused by the basic Canadian identity, or image of Canada in the world. = ? Footnote/Citation required

Citations? When to cite and when not to...? Example: Jean Chretien was the prime minister in Canada in 2003 when the decision to invade Iraq was made. As Leader of the Liberal party, Chretien was in his fourth term and had a long history of diplomatic relations with the United States. = No footnote would be required for such a fact Facing an upcoming election, Jean Chretien was worried that the United State’s occupation of Iraq violated the United Nation’s Charter and that it would be politically unpopular in Canada. = ? Footnote required

5) Plagiarism? Types: Types: 1) Submitting someone else's work! 2) Using other sources “ word for word ” without placing these quotes in quotation marks Must also include a citation Must also include a citation 3) “ Paraphrasing ” : Using someone else ’ s ideas or arguments Not a quotation, but still requires a citation Not a quotation, but still requires a citation

6) For Next Time... “International Organizations and Non Governmental Organizations” Globalization of World Politics, Chapters 19, 20 and 21. Thomas Weiss, “The Illusion of UN Security Council Reform,” The Washington Quarterly, Vol. 26(4), (2003), Pp (Available through e-journals, or from the instructor.)