The Research Paper Dr. Sean Homer

What is a Research Paper A research paper is the culmination and final product of an involved process of research, critical thinking, source evaluation, organization, and composition. It is helpful to think of the research paper as a process, something which develops and changes as you explore, interpret, and evaluate sources related to a specific topic. A research paper is the culmination and final product of an involved process of research, critical thinking, source evaluation, organization, and composition. It is helpful to think of the research paper as a process, something which develops and changes as you explore, interpret, and evaluate sources related to a specific topic. The research paper will involve primary and secondary sources. The research paper will involve primary and secondary sources. The research paper provides an opportunity for you to increase your knowledge of a particular area or field. The research paper provides an opportunity for you to increase your knowledge of a particular area or field.

Sources Primary Sources: Primary Sources: – Texts on your specific subject of study Secondary Sources: Secondary Sources: – Critical and historical accounts written on your primary subject of study. If you were going to write a paper on human rights what would constitute primary and secondary sources on the subject? If you were going to write a paper on human rights what would constitute primary and secondary sources on the subject?

The Research Paper is Not A research paper is not: A research paper is not: – simply an informed summary of a topic by means of primary and secondary sources. – It is neither a book report nor an opinion piece nor an expository essay consisting solely of one’s interpretation of a text nor an overview of a particular topic. 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. 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.

Two Types of Research Paper The Argumentative Research Paper: The Argumentative Research Paper: – consists of an introduction in which the writer clearly introduces the topic and informs his audience exactly which stance he intends to take. The goal of the argumentative research paper is persuasion, which means the topic chosen should be debatable or controversial. The Analytical Research Paper The Analytical Research Paper – often begins with the student asking a research question on which s/he has taken no stance. Such a paper is often an exercise in exploration and evaluation.

Exercise 1 Think of a topic that interests you or that you enjoy. Think of a topic that interests you or that you enjoy. Write down all that you already know about the topic. Write down all that you already know about the topic. Now generate a list of questions about aspects of the topic you need to know more about to increase your knowledge or expertise. Now generate a list of questions about aspects of the topic you need to know more about to increase your knowledge or expertise.

Exercise 2 Freewrite (brainstorm) on one of the following topics: Freewrite (brainstorm) on one of the following topics: 1.Ways to improve the local gym. 2.How to improve the parking situation on campus. 3.Studying to prepare for a career versus studying for the pleasure of learning Now draw up a list of questions from your writing. Now draw up a list of questions from your writing.

Types of Questions Purpose based questions: Purpose based questions: – Interpretive questions based on values Audience based questions: Audience based questions: – Focus’ on readers expectations about a particular subject. Writer based questions: Writer based questions: – Draws on your existing knowledge and what you need to know. Subject based questions: Subject based questions: – Focus’ on factual content

In Summary Give yourself plenty of time to think through and rethink your choice of topic. Give yourself plenty of time to think through and rethink your choice of topic. Look for a subject or issue that will continue to engage you throughout the research process. Look for a subject or issue that will continue to engage you throughout the research process. Consult reference materials in order to develop a viable research question and project. Consult reference materials in order to develop a viable research question and project. Before settling on a final topic make sure you understand the full implications of researching it. Before settling on a final topic make sure you understand the full implications of researching it.

Exercise Look at the paper I have provided and answer these questions: Look at the paper I have provided and answer these questions: – When, where and by whom was this paper published? – What is the function of the abstract? – What is the function of the key words? – What does the reference list tell you about this paper? How many anonymous articles are there in the reference list How many anonymous articles are there in the reference list How many non-attributed websites? How many non-attributed websites? How many articles from the media? How many articles from the media?

Exercise (Cont.) p. 38, 1 st para. – why is Gadjo dilo in italics? p. 38, 1 st para. – why is Gadjo dilo in italics? p. 38 – what does (Rutherford, 1999) refer to? p. 38 – what does (Rutherford, 1999) refer to? p. 38 – what does Slavoj Žižek (1996) refer to? p. 38 – what does Slavoj Žižek (1996) refer to? Why is the section beginning [T]he voice … separated and indented? Why is the section beginning [T]he voice … separated and indented? p. 39 – why does Derrida (1967) have an “a” next to the date? p. 39 – why does Derrida (1967) have an “a” next to the date? p. 39 what does (pp ) refer to? p. 39 what does (pp ) refer to? p. 40 what does (Dolar, 2006, p. 42) indicate? p. 40 what does (Dolar, 2006, p. 42) indicate?