1. Why Research? Why is research important?
It helps you better evaluate the information you encounter every day.
You’ll make new discoveries.
Ultimately, we base many of our beliefs on the prior trusted research of other individuals.
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This is why writing up our research findings in report form is valuable not only to ourselves, but to others.

2. Audience
In writing the research paper for our class, consider who your audience is. Don’t assume that your only audience is your instructor—think of your audience as our class, a room full of your fellow students and peers.
You become the teacher of your research paper topic—since you have done the most research on the topic, you are the most knowledgeable. You will teach the rest of the class about your findings.

3. Choosing a Topic
You are free to choose any topic that interests you, provided that it in some way relates to our umbrella topic of obedience and conformity.
What is obedience?
Following commands of an authority figure.
Think of some examples of obedience.
Is it ever potentially problematic? When? Discuss.
What is conformity?
Going along with a group in order to fit it.
Think of some examples of conformity.

4. Food for thought…
“If a man can only obey and not disobey, he is a slave; if a man can only disobey, not obey, he is a rebel (not a revolutionary)”
Erich Fromm
Take a minute to jot down in your own words what this quote means.
Now turn and share with a partner.
This is, essentially, the motto for our course.

5. Choosing a Topic
Because our umbrella topic is so broad, almost any subject will connect to it in some way, so try to choose a subject you are truly interested in.
Start browsing for general information about your topic.
Look for information in the library
Check online for reputable information

6. Narrowing Your Topic
You need to be able to narrow your topic enough that you can write about it sufficiently in the 8-10 pages you have to work with.
Thus, “the civil war” is a topic that is much too broad.
How could we narrow it?
A specific figure
A specific battle
A specific cause

7. From Topics to Questions
Ask yourself some questions about your topic to help you focus.
How does it fit into a larger context?
How has the topic changed over time?
Is it part of a larger system?
Can it be grouped into kinds?
Can it be compared with another like it?
Questions that ask how and why invite deeper thinking than who, what, when, and where.

8. The “So What” Question
Look at the significance of your narrowed topic—is it worth exploring?
Why is this topic important for you to know about and for others to learn about via your report?