Each student is required to pick a topic from the text and write a research paper. (What topics interest you?) Like the socialization paper, all students must write their own individual papers and the paper should be well thought out and organized.
The finished paper should be 5 pages, have at least 5 citations from separate sources, and include a reference list for a passing grade.
The course textbook may be one of your references. :0) However, the cover page and reference list do not count as part of the 5 required pages. This paper must be in APA format (one (1) inch margins, no paragraph breaks, indented first line of paragraph, and 12 point font).
Material needs to be typed. A printed report has a more professional image than a handwritten report.
Make sure the print is easily legible. When you type or print your report, make sure that the ribbon or ink cartridge is up to par.
One inch margins, double-spacing, and 12 point font are standard. Times, Geneva, Helvetica, and Chicago are the most common and acceptable font types.
Number your pages. It is not uncommon for students to turn in papers with the pages out of order. Numbering the pages cuts down on this mistake.
Securely fasten the paper together. Paper clips are a bad idea. Staples or one of the various types of binders sold at the bookstore are better.
Use a title page, which includes: your name, your instructor’s name and title, the course title and number, and the title of the paper.
Three Parts to the Paper
All papers should have three basic parts: an introduction, a main body, and a conclusion. Tell the reader what you are going to tell them about (introduction), tell them what you want them to know (main body), and remind them about what you told them (conclusion).
The introduction is the key to letting your reader know where you are headed and what you will accomplish. Remember that while the organization of your paper may be clear to you, it is not clear to your reader.
Therefore, the introduction is something like a road map that acquaints the reader with the journey ahead. This will make it easier for the reader to understand what follows and will improve the reader’s evaluation of your work. Tell the reader in concise terms:
1) what is the subject of the paper,
2) what it is that you hope to find out or what you already found out.
The main body is the largest part of the paper and is discussed more fully below. It should have a logical organization. Divide the main body into sections designated by headings and subheadings.
Look at almost any text, including the text for this course, and you will see that it uses headings to help keep the reader aware of the organizational structure.
Also with regard to your main body, do not assume knowledge on the part of the reader. Include all important information, explain its significance, and detail your logic.
Write your paper as though its reader will be a reasonably intelligent and informed person but not an expert on your topic. The reader wants to know what you know and will not “read into” the paper information that is not there.
The conclusion should sum up what you have found and stress the evidence that supports your analysis. This is not the place to introduce new information, but instead, summarize and wrap up what was previously presented.
There is something very human about wanting to have things summed up, so do not leave your reader hanging without a conclusion.
Organize the Main Body of the Paper
There are several ways to organize a research paper; however, an easy way to do this is to:
Define your topic or subject right away. Generally describe the topic and how it fits into your field of study. A definition is always appropriate.
Describe what is the problem or issue and what are any unique features. Here are some questions you can answer.
Who is affected by this and why?
How are they affected and why?
Where is this common or prevalent and why?
When does this occur and why? When did this first occur?
What are the common treatments or remedies? Are there alternative methods? What does the research say about this? Has this changed over time?
Some students enjoy stating an antithesis and share conflicting data.
What is the significance or what are the implications? Answer the question, “So what?” Are there future hopes or possible changes for new research? What improvements and impact do they suggest?
A section with the heading “discussion” is an appropriate place for personal opinions and thoughts that the writer wants to share with the reader. Be sure this is supported by your data and is analytical in nature.
Use Citations
All good research papers rely on information compiled by and analysis done by others. If you write a research paper without consulting other works, then you have written an essay, not a report. If you do rely in part on the work of other people and you do not cite them, you have failed in your responsibilities. A research paper must cite the work of others.
There are two reasons that citations are mandatory. The first is to allow the reader to explore the subject further by consulting the works that you have utilized. Without regular and complete citations, such further exploration by your reader is difficult or impossible.
Second, intellectual honesty requires citations. Failure to use them is plagiarism, which is unacceptable in any form. Plagiarism is the theft of the thoughts, facts, or knowledge of others by not giving them proper credit.
When to Cite
Anytime you quote or paraphrase the thoughts or work of others, cite the source. It is incorrect to believe that only quotations require citations. You should also cite whenever you are relying on someone else’s thoughts or research, even if you are only paraphrasing (putting it in your own words).
Simple commonly known facts need not be cited or footnoted. A rule of thumb is that if you did not know the information before you started the paper, then you should use a citation to show where you found the information.
Also, even if you know something when you start, you should cite the source of any controversial “fact” (IE. Ireland’s St. Brenden and the Vikings came to the New World before Columbus).
When in doubt, cite the source. Plagiarism is unethical. Instructors and other readers take it very seriously. Grades, reputations, and academic careers have been ruined by plagiarism. Err on the side of safety. One citation too many is far better than one citation too few.