1. Analytical Research Projects
Basic Elements of Analytical Research and Writing
Rationale: Welcome to “Analytical Research Projects: Basic Elements of Analytical Research and Writing.” This presentation is designed to introduce students and inquiring professionals to the differences between analytical and argumentative approaches, while expanding on basics of analytical research projects. The 10 slides presented here are designed to aid the facilitator in an interactive presentation of the elements of “Analytical Research Projects.” This presentation is ideal for students and professionals who would like to learn more about the fundamentals of writing and/or presenting an analytical research project.
****This presentation may be supplemented with the following OWL resources: For help with evaluating the credibility of sources check out
Directions: Each slide is activated by a single mouse click, unless otherwise noted in bold at the bottom of each notes page
Writer and Designer: Allen Brizee and Aubrie Harland (2009)
Design Contributor and Revising Author: Veronika Maliborska, 2014
Developed with resources courtesy of the Purdue University Writing Lab
© Copyright Purdue University, 2009
ALLEN BRIZEE AND AUBRIE HARLAND
Brought to you in cooperation with the Purdue Online Writing Lab

2. Overview Project types Choosing a topic Identifying audience
Conducting research
Organization and format
This presentation will discuss the differences between argumentative research projects and analytical research projects. Then, it will take a more in-depth look at constructing analytical projects. This presentation will outline how to choose an appropriate topic, identify the intended audience, and conduct thorough research for an analytical research project. And finally, it will explain how to effectively organize and format an analytical research project.
The facilitator might want to open up discussion by asking the audience about the differences between an analytical approach and an argumentative approach.

3. Project Types Argumentative: Clearly defined topic.
Clearly defined thesis statement (stance).
Goal: Persuade audience.
Example: Martha Schwartz is the most influential contemporary American landscape architect.
Must support thesis with proof (data) and sound reasoning.
When constructing an argumentative project or paper, the ultimate goal is to persuade the audience. In order to achieve this, an argumentative research project needs to have a clearly defined topic or idea that is identified in the thesis statement. Once the thesis is defined, facts, proof (data), and sound reasoning are used to support and “prove” the thesis. The facts should be organized and presented with the intention of convincing (or proving to) the audience that the argument (thesis) is valid.
Note the example. Suppose this is the thesis statement, “Martha Schwartz is the most influential contemporary American landscape architect.” This clear, direct statement is what the author has defined as the topic for the paper. Once defined, the author will continue constructing the project by explaining various reasons WHY Martha Schwartz should be considered the most influential contemporary American landscape architect.
The facilitator might want to open discussion by asking the audience for other thesis statements that follow the argumentative approach.

4. Project Types Analytical: Clearly defined topic.
Research question rather than thesis.
Goal: Explore and evaluate topic.
Example: Given Martha Schwartz’s influence on contemporary American landscape architecture, what are her major design inspirations and precedents?
Must conduct thorough research and explore various sources to try to answer question.
While the ultimate goal of argumentative project is to defend a stance, the ultimate goal of analytical research project is to explore and evaluate an idea, topic, or stance. Analytical research projects also need to have a clearly defined topic, however, analytical research projects tend to ANSWER a research question rather than DEFEND a stance. Thorough research and various, credible sources are both incredibly important aspects of constructing analytical research project. The audience needs to be well-informed on all aspects of the research question.
The facilitator might also want to note that students might benefit from anticipating some questions that the intended audience might have and address those questions in the project.
Note the example. Suppose this is the research question, “Given Martha Schwartz’s influence on contemporary American landscape architecture, what are her major design inspirations and precedents?” This question outlines and explains what the project is going to explore and discuss. Once the question is posed, the author will continue constructing the project by exploring the various sources of inspiration for Martha Schwartz’s landscape architecture.
The facilitator might want to open discussion again by asking the audience for analytical research questions pertaining to the assigned project, or by asking the about the differences between an analytical approach and an argumentative approach.

5. Choosing a Topic Consider assignment requirements.
Consider due dates, your schedule, priorities.
Determine interest - choose a topic that fulfills assignment requirements and that interests you.
Conduct preliminary research
When choosing a topic, considering the assignment requirements as stated by the instructor is critical. Typically, the instructor will give some direction and perhaps some ideas to help students brainstorm a topic. Depending on how extensive the project is, considering due dates and other obligations will help when planning work time for a project. Often times, instructors will have due dates for certain sections or portions of a project to make sure students have started working—keep this in mind.
Once a topic is chosen, conduct preliminary research by asking preliminary research questions and searching for the answers. Sometimes, a topic might seem interesting, but after conducting preliminary research, students might find that not much information is available. In this case, the student should brainstorm and choose another topic. The final, chosen topic should both fulfill the assignment requirements and be interesting to the student. If the topic is not interesting, the student might lose motivation to complete the project.

6. Identifying Audience Important questions: Who are they?
What do they need, expect?
Where will they be reading?
When will they be reading?
Why will they be reading?
How will they be reading?
Identifying the audience for an analytical research project is important because it will determine how to write, organize, and speak about the research question. Here is a listing of some of the common questions students can ask to determine the intended audience.
Again using Martha Schwartz as an example, if speaking to a kindergarten class, the author/presenter would want to use vocabulary that a kindergartener could understand, rather than using terms used by the professionals in the landscape architecture field. If the audience is not specified in the assignment, the students may want to ask the instructor about what audience would be appropriate for the given assignment.

7. Identifying Audience
Primary audience: Gatekeepers, instructor, faculty, etc.
Secondary audience: Peers, colleagues, coworkers, etc.
Shadow audience: Others who may read the paper: blog readers, readers of online magazines, etc.
The primary audience consists of the “gatekeepers,” or instructors and faculty members. In loose terms, the primary audience is in charge of evaluating the project and assigning a grade. The secondary audience consists of peers, colleagues, and coworkers. In other words, those who are simply present to observe the project, but who are not assessing it. The shadow audience is absolutely anyone and everyone else. Once a project is published or presented, it could end up anywhere—like on the Internet.
The facilitator might want to open discussion by asking about who the primary audience will include and who the secondary audience will include.
Using Schwartz, perhaps the instructor has requested that students especially consider a secondary audience that also consists of Schwartz’s peers.

8. Conducting Research Preliminary research:
To save time, use your library’s website to find related sources.
Some sources may have an electronic copy available, while other sources you will have find on the shelves and check out
Students should explore their library’s website and see what search filters and options are available on the website. If they have difficulty searching for information, have them ask a librarian for help, as it will save them a lot of time to learn how to find information. You may also invite a librarian to the class to do a library search workshop and demonstration.
Note that codes used to search databases sometimes vary. Database search guides have all the necessary information on searching a database; also don’t hesitate asking a librarian for help.

9. Conducting Research Other sources: Secondary sources:
Materials provided by your instructor
Professional publications
Credible Websites
Use the Purdue OWL to help you evaluate sources:
The facilitator might want to open discussion about available secondary sources and what the students think qualify as credible sources: Wikipedia, Ask, etc. 2 1 2 3

10. Conducting Research Other sources: Primary sources: Interviews
Observations
Experiments
Use the Purdue OWL to help you conduct primary research:
Secondary sources are probably the most commonly cited sources in analytical research projects. Secondary sources consist of library databases (including online databases), professional publications, and credible websites. Other sources include primary sources, such as interviews, observations, and experimentation. In other words, primary sources are sources of information with which the author has direct contact.

11. Paper Organization: Introduction How to write the introduction:
What is the purpose of the paper? Argumentative or Analytical?
For argumentative—What is your thesis?
For analytical—What are your research questions?
Audience (optional)—Is the audience familiar with topic, terms?
Research methods—How did you find your information?
Findings and conclusions.
Forecast organization of document.
This slide explains the general format for the introductory section (not necessarily introductory paragraph!) of a research project.
The purpose or goal should be clearly stated, the audience should be able to tell if the project is an argumentative paper or analytical paper.
The audience may or may not be mentioned in the introductory paragraph. However, if the instructor is looking for audience consideration when grading, then it might beneficial to mention the intended audience. If the project takes an argumentative approach, the thesis needs to be clearly defined. If the project takes and analytical approach, the research questions need to be clearly posed.
The research methods need to be mentioned so that the audience is aware of how information was obtained and how much information was obtained– (If familiar with ethos, pathos, and logos, this could be considered part of ethos as credibility or logos as data). For more information on Aristotle’s proofs (ethos, pathos, logos), reference the OWL here: Lastly, the introductory section needs to briefly mention the findings or conclusion in order to forecast the organization of the entire document.

12. Paper Organization: Body, References, & Appendix
Basic organization:
Section 1—Introduce and explain topic.
Section 2—Discuss history, background; set the context.
Section 3—Discuss research methods.
Section 4—Discuss research findings.
Section 5—Conclusions
Works Cited/Reference List
Appendix
A basic organizational format for analytical research projects is provided here. Of course, this format can be changed or altered depending on the specific topic.
Continuing to use the Martha Schwartz example, section 4 could be about specific influences and how these affected Schwartz’s work. For instance, discuss an influence in a paragraph and how it affected Schwartz, and then discuss other influences in subsequent paragraphs. Remember, although having mentioned research methods in section 3, citing the information is still necessary in previous and subsequent sections.

13. Where to Go for More Help Purdue University Writing Lab, Heavilon 226
Check our web site:
brief questions to OWL Mail:
Notes:
The Writing Lab is located on the West Lafayette Campus in room 226 of Heavilon Hall. The lab is open 9:00am-6:00 pm. OWL, Online Writing Lab, is a reach resource of information. Its address is And finally, you can your questions to OWL Mail at and our tutors will get back to you promptly.

14. The End ALLEN BRIZEE AND AUBRIE HARLAND ANALYTICAL RESEARCH PROJECTS
Brought to you in cooperation with the Purdue Online Writing Lab