Research Project
This is the major homework assignment of the course and is worth up to +50 pts.
Goal: to go deeply into a subject of the student's interest. The beginning point is the interest of the student. The hope is to get into the subject as deeply as possible.
You have been taught how to do a research paper. For reminders and additional guidelines try Writing a Research Paper from the Purdue On-Line Writing Lab <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResearchW/>.
Suggestions to consider when choosing a topic:
1. Choose a topic that is manageable. For example, instead of doing such a broad topic as euthanasia, do the specific case of Nancy Cruzan or Christine Busalacci.
2. The purpose is not breadth but depth. Find out as much as you can about a subject as you can. Don’t worry about issues of right and wrong, good and bad; these will naturally emerge as you get into the subject.
3. Consider tying this into another course. With the other teacher's permission, this report can be interdisciplinary and be handed in to both courses for credit. Example, the problems at Enron can be tied in to economics, or Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima can be tied into history.
4. Decide if a research paper is the best way to present this, or if, because of appropriateness or preference, you’d rather do a creative project.
A research project is by definition an effort which requires openness to others. The point is to go and find out what people who live their lives in this field believe. Research centering on only one position does not demonstrate this. Dealing with an issue from one side defeats the whole idea of this assignment. You are urged to emphasize the views you find hard to understand.
After you choose your topic:
1. Go to the library and use the periodical guide to find at least four in-depth articles from magazines, books or approved web sites with various viewpoints • multiple page articles • as recent as possible
• begin with a middle viewpoint, then search out varying (even opposing) viewpoints
You cannot cite dictionaries, encyclopedia, or certain web sites (e.g. wikipedia) for your research. You can begin with these to get an overview, but they should not be primary sources that are cited, nor do they appear in your bibliography.
2. Read your in-depth articles and get a good knowledge of the facts and begin to ask questions. Take notes.
3. Try to answer the questions/dilemmas/conflicts: through additional articles, or interviews or further research.* Real interviews are a great way to personalize your research.
4. Write a rough draft. Make sure that it is an objective presentation of the subject, with various viewpoints and ideas present. At the end of the paper the reader should have a basic knowledge of the facts and questions surrounding your topic.
5. Let someone else read your rough draft. The teacher would be a good choice. Ask him or her to concentrate on what is said, i.e. the content of the work. Listen to their reactions to it.
6. Revise and edit. take some time to try to respond to the critique of your reader and of yourself. Work your paper into a final form.
7. Compose your final paper. Make sure it is properly notated, with a properly done bibliography. Have another person read it, this time with more attention to form. It’s a good idea to show it to the teacher days before and ask for an initial evaluation.
8. Hand the paper in a few days before it is due!
*After the research is done, one needs to decide how to present the knowledge acquired. Options to research paper include web site, art work (painting, sculpture, play or short story), or an audio or video presentation. There are special requirements on creative projects which must be met. A short story, an essay, a picture or sculpture can be effective ways to present ideas.
There are special requirements for creative projects. Creative project for those who have background in a creative area, i.e. a demonstrated interest and involvement in the area. This will not be accepted without evidence of research.
Most will choose the conventional research paper. This is the culmination of all you have learned in your English classes about writing, in your social studies classes about how to do research and write a research papers. For additional information, see the booklet recommended by Social Studies and English: Writing the Research Report, Holt, Rinhehart and Winston Inc., 1991.
Options can be tied into another class; in fact, this is encouraged. This must be made clear in your class project plan and approved by the both teachers. Other teacher's signature must be on the class project form.
YOU CAN CHOOSE TO TURN IN YOUR RESEARCH PROJECT AS
A RESEARCH PAPER OR A CREATIVE PROJECT, BUT THIS MUST BE APPROVED BY THE TEACHER WHEN YOU CHOOSE YOUR TOPIC.
JUNIOR MORALITY RESEARCH PAPER
After three years at SLUH you should be able to do this appropriately.
A research project is by definition an effort which requires openness to others. The point is to go and find out what people who live their lives in this field believe. Research centering on only one position does not demonstrate this. Dealing with an issue from one side defeats the whole idea of this assignment. You are urged to emphasize the views you find hard to understand.
from Leahy's Fundamentals of a Research Paper, pg. 1
1. Research Paper Defined
The research paper is a documented prose work resulting from an organized analysis of a subject. A documented work is one in which the source of material is credited. The research paper is sometimes called a library paper because its preparation involves an extensive use of the library. It is sometimes called a term paper because the time allotted is sometimes the greater part of a semester or term.
Research requirements:
This is a pure research paper. You are asked to delve into the issue with as open a mind as possible. Be aware of bias and work extra on other viewpoints. Do not use personal pronouns in the paper. No "I think" or "To me" or "My view is." Do not use personal ideas in the research paper. Your ideas can come out in the class presentation or a reflection paper--after the research.
1. Core of research should be a minimum of four diverse sources with depth. Periodicals should be emphasized because of their timeliness. Good sources of research include: major cover stories from news magazines such as Time or Newsweek; depth articles from magazines like National Geographic, the Atlantic, National Review, Commentary, World Monitor; multipart series from the newspapers are also good.
• If you use part of a book, cite what you read in your bibliography.
• Use recommended Style Guidelines (APA or MLA). Purdue's On-Line Writing Lab is great source for information and guidance <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/>
Any internet source must be approved by the teacher.
2. Diverse means that various viewpoints are required for this research. Respect for divergent positions must be part of research. Even if you write with a strong thesis position, other views must be included, especially criticisms of your thesis.
3. A few things about your research.
¥ Internet is a good place to begin. Use dictionaries or special topic encyclopedias but only as background. Encyclopedias, short articles from the newspaper or newsmagazines, can and should be used as additional sources, but should not considered in-depth sources. They do not count in the "four diverse sources with depth" asked for above.
¥ Television or radio sources should not be used unless one has proper annotation and the ability to produce the cited work.
¥ Personal interviews with people directly involved in the area are highly recommended. These can add a human element to your study and your presentation. It personalizes and concretizes the issue. But any personal interviews must be credited; no "anonymous" sources.
4. The goal is more dialogue than debate. The tact of the research should be open to many points of view.
5. First thing that will be checked when research papers are handed in: cover page, bibliography, notation, typewritten, and proofread.
Make sure your research paper has _____cover page ____bibliography ____proofreading
___various viewpoints ____major, significant research ____proper notation
Make sure your research paper does not have ____poor grammar
____factual errors ____poor spelling ____unsubstantiated ideas
____student's personal opinions presented as facts
Make sure any "cut and paste" from another source is credited--or else that is plagiarism.
If you use any photo or graph, credit it--or else that may be plagiarism.
Make sure this is a research project, not a book report, or a series of reports.
These are minimal requirements.
If any of these are applicable, the paper may not be accepted
or the deficiencies will be reflected in t e grade.
IF YOU CHOSE TO DO A CREATIVE PROJECT YOU DO ALL THE SAME RESEARCH, HAND IN ALL YOUR NOTES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY BUT TURN IN A CREATIVE WORK (e.g. a video, a web site, a CD or tape)
THIS HAS GOT TO BE DISCUSSED WITH ME AND APPROVED BY ME.
Come and see me if you have a good idea you’d like me to approve.
I welcome creative projects.