1. Formal Research Paper

2. What is a formal research paper?
What it is:
Combination of research, critical thinking, source evaluation, organization, and writing skills
Living, breathing thing that changes as you learn more
What it is not:
Book report
Opinion piece
Your interpretation of an issue
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. This is accomplished through two major types of research papers.

3. Two main types: Argumentative papers Analytical papers
-take a position (the death penalty should be abolished, teachers should not be armed, marijuana should be legal)
Analytical papers
- define something & break it down (the various interpretations of a particular poem, scientific evidence in support of and against anthropogenic global warming)

4. Practice civil discourse
The act of engaging in dialogue on important issues to help enhance understanding
Acknowledge there are multiple perspectives on an issue

5. Defining and Narrowing a Topic
Find something you have a strong interest in (global warming, environmental impact of mountain biking, nutritional value of school lunch)
Start thinking of questions you have on that topic
If you can’t find a topic, try looking here:
SIRS Issues Researcher

6. Credibility Definition:
1.capable of being believed; believable: a credible statement.
2.worthy of belief or confidence; trustworthy: a credible witness.
Credibility is important!
If your research is flawed, so is your argument.
If you use credible sources, you can believe them, and your readers can believe you.

7. Types of sources: Primary: Secondary:
The most reliable source of information; very highly
credible, usually no bias
Original source material
Original research
Government publications
Interviews
Secondary:
Usually reliable; typically very credible, but may be biased
Summarizes original source material; adds commentary
Newspapers, magazines, television & online news

8. Types of sources: Tertiary:
The least reliable sources of information; varying degrees of credibility, typically high degrees of bias
THIS IS WHERE WE GET SO MUCH INFORMATION FROM!!
Social media
News commentary shows (Rachel Maddow, Tucker Carlson)
Online media companies (Axios, Vox, Young Turks)
Blog posts
NEVER, EVER, EVER USE THESE IN FORMAL RESEARCH!!!
VERIFY, VERIFY, VERIFY!!!

9. How do I know if my sources are credible?
Most books you find in library nonfiction are credible.
Most newspapers are credible.
New York Times
Washington Post
Rapid City Journal
Scholarly journals are usually credible.
JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association)
Most government publications are credible.
Reputable organizations are usually credible.
American Cancer Society
World Health Organization
American Red Cross
Most information from colleges is credible.
.edu websites

10. Credible Internet Sources
Ways to tell a credible internet source:
Looks professional
The website doesn’t look like it was made by a 4- year-old with a crayon
All or most links are working
Information offered is easy to verify
The website offers links to where they found their information
The sources of their information is also credible

11. Credible Internet Sources
It is easy to contact the owners of the website for more information or to ask questions
The site is up to date
Information from 2004 is not listed as “recent”
There are no errors
The site uses proper spelling and grammar
The website is appropriate
There is no inappropriate language, graphics, or photos

12. Credible Internet Sources
These guidelines are not 100%
When in doubt, ask for help from a teacher or librarian
If you’re still not sure, DON’T use it
Be careful with .com sites
All .com sites are trying to sell something, which means they are all biased in some way
Sites with lots of advertisements are usually less credible

13. Additional Tips:
Never Use Personal Pronouns in Research Papers. “I think, You will agree,” etc. If you’re citing the works of a group of researchers, don’t state “they found.” State instead, “The group concluded,” or “It was determined.” Remain totally objective - your credibility is at stake.
If you cite research that supports your thesis, then you should also cite works that support the opposition.