The Research PaperThe Research Paper

Hitting the ground runningHitting the ground running

ResearchResearch

Research is a way of…Research is a way of…

What are some everyday uses of What are some everyday uses of research?research?

What experiences have you had with What experiences have you had with research projects in the past? Good? research projects in the past? Good? Bad? Bad?

The Purpose of ResearchThe Purpose of Research

Purpose of research is to generate Purpose of research is to generate new knowledge or new new knowledge or new understanding about a subject. understanding about a subject.

Key word is “new.” Key word is “new.”

Research is not:Research is not:

A collection of quotes from sources.A collection of quotes from sources.

An essay based only on your An essay based only on your opinions or ideas.opinions or ideas.

An essay which makes poor use of An essay which makes poor use of sources or doesn’t document the sources or doesn’t document the sources used.sources used.

Your research should:Your research should:

Help you deepen your Help you deepen your understanding of your subject in understanding of your subject in order to generate a meaningful order to generate a meaningful topic.topic.

Form the basis of your analysis.Form the basis of your analysis.

Support your conclusions (not argue Support your conclusions (not argue for you).for you).

Research, like writing, is a ProcessResearch, like writing, is a Process

Step 1: Select and LimitStep 1: Select and LimitWhat issues are related to your topic? If What issues are related to your topic? If you’re beginning with a “big issue” like you’re beginning with a “big issue” like work place equity, some related issues work place equity, some related issues could include discrimination based on race could include discrimination based on race or gender, discrepancies between salaries or gender, discrepancies between salaries of men and women or even sexual of men and women or even sexual harassment.harassment.

Check Issues and Controversies or run a Check Issues and Controversies or run a preliminary search in Infotrac to help you preliminary search in Infotrac to help you identify some of these issues.identify some of these issues.

Step 2: Focus and PlanStep 2: Focus and Plan

Generate research questions – what Generate research questions – what do you need to find out? do you need to find out?

What sorts of sources will be most What sorts of sources will be most useful to you? (We’ll explore the useful to you? (We’ll explore the advantages and disadvantages of advantages and disadvantages of different kinds of sources shortly, different kinds of sources shortly, here in class and in the library)here in class and in the library)

Step 3: Gather SourcesStep 3: Gather Sources

begin with general sourcesbegin with general sources

once you’ve identified your focused once you’ve identified your focused topic, begin exploring specific topic, begin exploring specific articles, books and websitesarticles, books and websites

Step 4: Read and ReflectStep 4: Read and Reflect

part of the discovery processpart of the discovery process

pay attention to sources which point pay attention to sources which point you to new sources, such as you to new sources, such as scholarly journals with bibliographies, scholarly journals with bibliographies, or web sites with links pages.or web sites with links pages.

Looking for a TopicLooking for a TopicA problem/decision you or someone close to you A problem/decision you or someone close to you needs to make.needs to make.TextbooksTextbooksBrowse subject headings in Reader’s Browse subject headings in Reader’s Guide to Guide to Periodical LiteraturePeriodical Literature or something similar or something similarBrowse through an encyclopediaBrowse through an encyclopediaBrowse magazines you enjoy readingBrowse magazines you enjoy readingWatch “non-fiction” shows you like – news, Watch “non-fiction” shows you like – news, history, fly fishing….history, fly fishing….Think back on the last “argument” you had with Think back on the last “argument” you had with someone – what was it about?someone – what was it about?Think of something you believe which most Think of something you believe which most people might not.people might not.

Are We Done?Are We Done?No!No!Like the writing process, the research Like the writing process, the research process is iterative.process is iterative.You might need to return to and You might need to return to and repeat earlier steps.repeat earlier steps.You might pursue the steps out of You might pursue the steps out of order.order.Your research needs to influence how Your research needs to influence how you conduct your research!you conduct your research!

Topics to AvoidTopics to Avoid

Topics that don’t interest you:Topics that don’t interest you:– You must be able to spend time You must be able to spend time

reading about topicreading about topic– You must be able to think creatively You must be able to think creatively

about topicabout topic– You must be able to narrow the topic You must be able to narrow the topic

sufficiently – easy if you know a lot sufficiently – easy if you know a lot about it.about it.

Topics that are too broadTopics that are too broad

Topics to AvoidTopics to Avoid

Topics that will require only one or Topics that will require only one or two sourcestwo sources

Topics that produce a strong Topics that produce a strong emotional response in you (you must emotional response in you (you must be able to present your arguments in be able to present your arguments in an objective way).an objective way).

Topics that require advanced or Topics that require advanced or specialized knowledgespecialized knowledge

Kinds of ResearchKinds of ResearchPrimary – interview/survey Delta Primary – interview/survey Delta students about needs and students about needs and preferences.preferences.Secondary – find sources on trends Secondary – find sources on trends nationwide, compare cars.nationwide, compare cars.Periodicals a good source – Periodicals a good source – Consumer ReportsConsumer ReportsGovernment web sites/documents Government web sites/documents (safety)(safety)

Your TurnYour Turn

Brainstorm: list possible topicsBrainstorm: list possible topics

Choose most interestingChoose most interesting

Brainstorm: list possible research Brainstorm: list possible research questions – what do you need to questions – what do you need to know?know?

What kind of analysis will this be?What kind of analysis will this be?

Getting StartedGetting Started

Possible topic: best car to buyPossible topic: best car to buy

Research questions?Research questions?

Off to the Library!Off to the Library!Don’t forget to record:Don’t forget to record:AuthorAuthorTitle/SubtitleTitle/SubtitlePlace, name of press and date of Place, name of press and date of publication (book)publication (book)Periodical title, date of publication and Periodical title, date of publication and volume/issue number (periodicals)volume/issue number (periodicals)Full URL (web page)Full URL (web page)Call number in Delta library (so you can Call number in Delta library (so you can find it again)find it again)