The Research PaperThe Research Paper

Dr. Sean HomerDr. Sean Homer

What is a Research PaperWhat is a Research Paper• A research paper is the culmination and final product A research paper is the culmination and final product

of an involved process of research, critical thinking, of an involved process of research, critical thinking, source evaluation, organization, and composition. It source evaluation, organization, and composition. It is helpful to think of the research paper as a process, is helpful to think of the research paper as a process, something which develops and changes as you something which develops and changes as you explore, interpret, and evaluate sources related to a explore, interpret, and evaluate sources related to a specific topic. specific topic.

• The research paper will involve primary and The research paper will involve primary and secondary sources. secondary sources.

• The research paper provides an opportunity for you to The research paper provides an opportunity for you to increase your knowledge of a particular area or field. increase your knowledge of a particular area or field.

SourcesSources

• Primary Sources:Primary Sources:– Texts on your specific subject of studyTexts on your specific subject of study

• Secondary Sources:Secondary Sources:– Critical and historical accounts written on your Critical and historical accounts written on your

primary subject of study.primary subject of study.

• If you were going to write a paper on human If you were going to write a paper on human rights what would constitute primary and rights what would constitute primary and secondary sources on the subject?secondary sources on the subject?

The Research Paper is NotThe Research Paper is Not

• A research paper is not:A research paper is not:– simply an informed summary of a topic by means of simply an informed summary of a topic by means of

primary and secondary sources. primary and secondary sources.

– It is neither a book report nor an opinion piece nor an It is neither a book report nor an opinion piece nor an expository essay consisting solely of one’s interpretation of expository essay consisting solely of one’s interpretation of a text nor an overview of a particular topic.a text nor an overview of a particular topic.

• The goal of a research paper is not to inform the The goal of a research paper is not to inform the reader what others have to say about a topic, but to reader what others have to say about a topic, but to draw on what others have to say about a topic and draw on what others have to say about a topic and engage the sources in order to thoughtfully offer a engage the sources in order to thoughtfully offer a unique perspective on the issue at hand.unique perspective on the issue at hand.

Two Types of Research PaperTwo Types of Research Paper• The Argumentative Research Paper:The Argumentative Research Paper:

– consists of an introduction in which the writer consists of an introduction in which the writer clearly introduces the topic and informs his clearly introduces the topic and informs his audience exactly which stance he intends to take. audience exactly which stance he intends to take. The goal of the argumentative research paper is The goal of the argumentative research paper is persuasion, which means the topic chosen should persuasion, which means the topic chosen should be debatable or controversial. be debatable or controversial.

• The Analytical Research PaperThe Analytical Research Paper– often begins with the student asking a research often begins with the student asking a research

question on which s/he has taken no stance. Such a question on which s/he has taken no stance. Such a paper is often an exercise in exploration and paper is often an exercise in exploration and evaluation. evaluation.

Exercise 1Exercise 1

• Think of a topic that interests you or that you Think of a topic that interests you or that you enjoy.enjoy.

• Write down all that you already know about Write down all that you already know about the topic.the topic.

• Now generate a list of questions about Now generate a list of questions about aspects of the topic you need to know more aspects of the topic you need to know more about to increase your knowledge or about to increase your knowledge or expertise.expertise.

Exercise 2Exercise 2

• Freewrite (brainstorm) on one of the following Freewrite (brainstorm) on one of the following topics:topics:1.1. Ways to improve the local gym.Ways to improve the local gym.

2.2. How to improve the parking situation on campus.How to improve the parking situation on campus.

3.3. Studying to prepare for a career versus studying Studying to prepare for a career versus studying for the pleasure of learningfor the pleasure of learning

• Now draw up a list of questions from your Now draw up a list of questions from your writing.writing.

Types of QuestionsTypes of Questions• Purpose based questions:Purpose based questions:

– Interpretive questions based on valuesInterpretive questions based on values

• Audience based questions:Audience based questions:

– Focus’ on readers expectations about a particular Focus’ on readers expectations about a particular subject.subject.

• Writer based questions:Writer based questions:

– Draws on your existing knowledge and what you need Draws on your existing knowledge and what you need to know.to know.

• Subject based questions:Subject based questions:

– Focus’ on factual contentFocus’ on factual content

In SummaryIn Summary

• Give yourself plenty of time to think through and Give yourself plenty of time to think through and rethink your choice of topic.rethink your choice of topic.

• Look for a subject or issue that will continue to Look for a subject or issue that will continue to engage you throughout the research process.engage you throughout the research process.

• Consult reference materials in order to develop a Consult reference materials in order to develop a viable research question and project.viable research question and project.

• Before settling on a final topic make sure you Before settling on a final topic make sure you understand the full implications of researching it. understand the full implications of researching it.

ExerciseExercise• Look at the paper I have provided and answer Look at the paper I have provided and answer

these questions:these questions:– When, where and by whom was this paper When, where and by whom was this paper

published?published?– What is the function of the abstract?What is the function of the abstract?– What is the function of the key words?What is the function of the key words?– What does the reference list tell you about this What does the reference list tell you about this

paper?paper?• How many anonymous articles are there in the reference How many anonymous articles are there in the reference

listlist• How many non-attributed websites?How many non-attributed websites?• How many articles from the media?How many articles from the media?

Exercise (Cont.)Exercise (Cont.)

• p. 38, 1p. 38, 1stst para. – why is para. – why is Gadjo diloGadjo dilo in italics? in italics?• p. 38 – what does (Rutherford, 1999) refer to?p. 38 – what does (Rutherford, 1999) refer to?• p. 38 – what does Slavoj p. 38 – what does Slavoj ŽižŽižek (1996) refer to?ek (1996) refer to?• Why is the section beginning [T]he voice … Why is the section beginning [T]he voice …

separated and indented?separated and indented?• p. 39 – why does Derrida (1967) have an “a” next to p. 39 – why does Derrida (1967) have an “a” next to

the date?the date?• p. 39 what does (pp. 27-73) refer to?p. 39 what does (pp. 27-73) refer to?• p. 40 what does (Dolar, 2006, p. 42) indicate?p. 40 what does (Dolar, 2006, p. 42) indicate?