1. Research Papers Social Sciences and Humanities

2. The Ethos of Writing Research Papers Share comments at your table regarding the following: What do you dread the most about writing a research paper? What strategies are most helpful in addressing what you dread? What tips can you share with others that have brought you writing success?

3. Disclaimers There are many forms of research paper writing. Check with your advisor for the appropriate style and format! Ask your advisor for examples. Writing is a process and a product. Writing is a form of communicating your ideas to an audience who does not see or hear what is going on inside your head!

4. Mechanics Count !

5. Purpose of a Social Science Research Paper Communicate the research question, background, method, etc. with enough detail that study could be replicated by reader. Identifies research approach: descriptive, exploratory, explanatory (hypotheses), evaluative, etc. Identifies methods used: ◦ Surveys, interviews, experiments, observations, assessments, evaluations, case study, etc. Allows reader to find additional material on the question(s) via well constructed literature review. 5

6. Outline for a Social Science Research Paper (Could vary slightly depending on discipline) Introduction/ Research Question/ Research Approach Background and Purpose (why is this important?) Literature Review (more depth and synthesis than the background/purpose) Methods (Data Collection and Sampling) Results or Findings (Data organization and results- NO interpretation) Discussion (ok, now interpret) Limitations, questions for future research, connection to literature review, implications for practice) Conclusion References Appendices

7. Humanities Papers

8. Purpose of a Humanities Paper Knowledge is developed through observation, reflection, and analysis. Focus: interpretation of texts, themes or ideas. Build from existing data and to expand knowledge through new insight. 8

9. Outline for a Humanities Paper Introduction Body Conclusion References

10. Introduction Tell them what you are going to tell them. What does your research focus on? General introduction to the boundaries of the discussion: setting up the frame of the exploration/argument/discussion, and your thesis. 10

11. Body Exploration of your thesis, supported by evidence. Evidence from a source text. Evidence from other research sources. Critical points of your argument, building towards the proof of your thesis. Most likely involves several subsections. 11

12. Conclusion & References Tell them what you told them. Re-state thesis and critical conclusions. Citations for all items you used in your work. 12