Todd Wehr Memorial Library Viterbo University Humanities and Social Science 1

Todd Wehr Memorial Library • Viterbo University

Humanities and Social Science

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Todd Wehr Memorial Library • Viterbo UniversityTodd Wehr Memorial Library • Viterbo University

General CommentsResearch styles and types can vary in

each discipline.Research can be inconclusive or theses

can change.Research helps you tell your story in a

common structure.Don’t forget that you can consult with a librarian

to uncover the resources you need!

◦http://www.viterbo.edu/library

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Humanities

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Purpose of a Humanities PaperKnowledge 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.

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Anatomy of a Humanities Research Paper

IntroductionBodyConclusionReferences

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IntroductionTell 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.

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BodyExploration 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.

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

work.

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Social Sciences

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Purpose of a Social Sciences PaperControlled investigation and inquiry in

order to clarify social issues. Variety of qualitative and quantitative

methods used:◦Surveys, interviews, experiments, observations,

etc.If hypothesis based, similar to scientific

papers.If a case study or literature analysis,

similar to humanities.

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Anatomy of a Social Sciences Research Paper (hypothesis based)

Background/IntroductionLiterature ReviewMethodologyResultsDiscussionConclusionReferences

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Background/IntroductionTell them what you are going to tell them.What is your thesis, or what does your

research focus on?Why is your work important/unique?

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Literature Review“Standing on the shoulders of giants”What research has been done around your topic?What are gaps in current scholarship? What

unique contribution does your work have?

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Methodology/HypothesisWhat you planned to show with your

research.An expansion of your thesis into specific

details.Description of how you gathered

information/sources studied/populations observed, etc.

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ResultsStatistical or descriptive data on what you

found.Specifically addresses

Methodology/Hypothesis questions.Not the spot for interpretation.

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DiscussionHow does your Results impact your

Methodology/Hypothesis/Thesis?What did you discover?Was your thesis challenged, validated, or

a little of both?Integrate research from literature review

to tie your work back to the body of scholarship.

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Conclusion & ReferencesTell them what you told them.Lessons LearnedPossibilities for future research.Citations for all items you used in your

work.

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Questions?

Gretel [email protected]@viterbo.eduMRC 109 (Library)

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Documents

Todd Wehr Memorial Library Viterbo University Humanities and Social Science 1