Preparing a Research Paper (part 1)

Introduction

Today will introduce the preparatory steps you should consider before starting to write a “research paper”. To begin, the term “research” can have a different meaning across disciplines. US governmental regulations define research as:

A systematic investigation, including development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge

Under this definition, it is possible to engage in research by comparing and connecting ideas/findings from disparate sources, by aggregating existing information in a new way, or by collecting and analyzing novel data.

Regardless of how you define research, many of the principles and strategies we’ll cover are good starting points for any major writing assignment.

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Final Paper Overview

As mentioned in our course syllabus, the final paper is expected to be 3-6 pages in length and there are 3 different options you may choose from:

1. Conducting your own data analysis, focusing on an accurate and nuanced write-up of the results.
2. A thorough critique of a published analysis or presentation of data, focusing on connections with topics we covered throughout the semester.
3. An argumentative paper focusing on the value of formal training in data analysis and statistical methods aimed at your peers.

You might note that #1 most likely satisfies the formal definition of research, while #2 and #3 most likely will not fit the formal definition of research. However, regardless of the option you choose, you are expected to identify and use appropriate scientific references as part of your work.

Similar to Paper #1, your final paper will be evaluated in the following dimensions:

1. Clarity, form and structure of the central claim or thesis
2. Overall structure and flow of the paper
3. Effective use of summarization (either of published works or of the findings of your analysis)
4. Depth of your analysis into your topic
5. Mechanics

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Step 1 - Defining the topic and scope

For a 3-6 page paper, you’ll need to be intentional and focused when determining the scope of the paper.

• If your scope is too broad, your writing will likely be filled with lots of generalizations and broad statements that aren’t useful to a reader.
• Defining a narrow scope is an effective strategy to ensuring the completeness of your summaries and the depth of your analyses are appropriate for the space constraints of the work.

Consider the following example:

• Original topic (too broad): “The reactions of the Indian people to colonialism during the Victorian Era”

One strategy to narrow the scope is to force yourself to clearly define all terms that could have multiple meanings:

1. What is meant by “reactions”? is describing the emotional responses of individuals? political movements?
2. What constitutes “colonialism”? does it only refer to formal governmental structures? does it include cultural intrusions?
3. Who does “the Indian people” refer to? are you going to try to discuss the reactions of everyone? will you focus on the working class? will you only be able to find the thoughts of academics?

Based upon the insights you gain when answering these questions, you can come up with a more focused topic, such as:

• New topic (focused): “The effects of English educational practices on Indian universities in the Victorian Era”

Notice how the new topic specifies a specific aspect of colonialism (education practices), a specific population (Indian universities), and a specific period of time (Victorian Era).

Note: This section’s example was adapted from Agnes Scott College Center for Writing and Speaking

Question #1: Pick one of the 3 final paper options and write a single sentence describing the main topic of your paper in overly broad terms.

Question #2: Exchange topics with someone else in your group and come up with 2-4 definitions-based questions to help guide them towards defining a narrower topic. Record their main topic and your 2-4 questions as your response to this question.

Question #3: After considering the questions posed by your partner, revise your main topic to be narrower in scope.

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Step 2 - Finding useful sources about the topic

An expectation of the final paper is that you appropriately utilize and cite credible, scientific sources as part of your work. The nature of these sources and where you find them may depend upon the option you chose to pursue.

If you plan on conducting your own data analysis (paper option #1) these sources might include:

1. Published scientific research that has motivated your hypotheses or provides useful background information.
2. The underlying source of the data you’re working with (assuming you did not collect it yourself).
3. Sources pertaining to methods or software implementations used during the analysis.

If you plan on critiquing another person’s use of data (paper option #2), your sources might include:

1. The original paper/presentation you are critiquing.
2. Other sources involving similar topics that can provide background or perspective on the original paper/presentation.
3. Sources supporting your critiques of specific elements, methodologies, or technical details of the original paper (ie: sources on Simpson’s paradox, etc.)

Finally, you plan on writing an argumentative paper (option #3), your sources might include:

1. Published scientific studies evaluating the effectiveness, limitations, etc. of educational approaches you identified as relevant.

Once you’ve determined the types of sources you’ll be searching for, you should engage in a systematic search using the Library Resources we worked with earlier in the semester.

• Library resource page

You should record the sources you find to be useful in an annotated bibliography, which is a list of sources and citations where each is accompanied by a brief description of the source’s content and its relevance to your project.

Shown below is an example entry in an annotated bibliography:

• Waite, Linda J., et al. “Nonfamily Living and the Erosion of Traditional Family Orientations Among Young Adults.” American Sociological Review, vol. 51, no. 4, 1986, pp. 541-554.
  • The authors, researchers at the Rand Corporation and Brown University, use data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women and Young Men to test their hypothesis that nonfamily living by young adults alters their attitudes, values, plans, and expectations, moving them away from their belief in traditional sex roles. They find their hypothesis strongly supported in young females, while the effects were fewer in studies of young males. Increasing the time away from parents before marrying increased individualism, self-sufficiency, and changes in attitudes about families. In contrast, an earlier study by Williams cited below shows no significant gender differences in sex role attitudes as a result of nonfamily living.

Note: The above example is from https://guides.library.cornell.edu/annotatedbibliography

Question #4: Using the searching strategies discussed in our librarian sessions earlier this semester, search for relevant sources and start an annotated bibliography. Aim to add entries for 2-4 sources that you might use in your paper.

Question #5: Share your revised topic (Question #3) and your current annotated bibliography (Question #4) with the same person who read your original main topic. For the materials you receive, write a brief summary of how you think the sources in their annotated bibliography could contribute to their paper. Then, come up with a recommendation related to additional sources, searching strategies, or types of information you suggest your partner should pursue before moving on with their paper.

If you have additional time, continue adding to your annotated bibliography using the advice of your partner as appropriate.

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Conclusion

At the end of class, please submit a document containing your responses to receive completion credit. I advise you to continue adding to an annotated bibliography outside of class.

After Thanksgiving break, our next class session will be devoted towards outlining your paper and starting on the introduction. Later in the week you’ll be tasked with submitting a draft and meeting to discuss it.