Chapter 1 Basic Information about the Research Paper A Jennifer A May A Nancy

Introduction Detail of format and matters of style The essential processes for writing research paper Research paper, report, review article, thesis, dissertation

Research Paper The library paper assigned in undergraduate courses is most often labeled a research paper. The name distinguishes a paper based on work in the library from an essay.

Report 1. Summarize and report our findings on particular subject. 2. Neither judge nor evaluate the findings; simply relate them in a logical sequence.

Term Paper Refers to a project that summarizes or demonstrates mastery of the work of a term or semester. Requires library research in secondary sources to proof the student’s observations and conclusions.

Review Article Refers to a presentation of secondary sources, which are organized, evaluated, and analyzed to apprise the reader of the current state of research on a topic Serves to identify problems with the sources or to suggest possibilities for future research

Thesis Refers to a real research project Draws an original conclusion based on information derived from research

Fear of the Research Paper Helpful in your later life –Learns the technique from writing research paper –Applies to writing a business paper How can I make writing a research paper more enjoyable? –Choosing a subject that you like very much –Choosing a topic that you know well

Definition of the Research Paper Definition of the Research Paper Rechercher = to seek out Printed paper － usually between twelve and fifteen pages long Presents writer’s views and findings on the chosen subject

Format of the Research Paper Format of the Research Paper MLA=Modern Language Association APA=American Psychological Association CMS=Chicago Manual of Style Why is format so important?

Reasons for the Research Paper Reasons for the Research Paper 1. Force us to learn lots about our chosen subject. 2. Teach us the conventions of scholarly writing. 3. We will become familiar with the library through the “learning by doing” method.

＊ An exercise in logic, imagination, and common sense. 1. How to track down information 2. How to organize and summarize 3. How to use the Internet in our research 4. How to discriminate between useless and useful opinions 5. How to budget our time 6. How to conceive of and manage a research project from start to finish

Report Paper v.s. Thesis Paper Report Paper v.s. Thesis Paper -Report Paper 1. Summarize and report our findings on particular subject. 2. Neither judge nor evaluate the findings; simply relate them in a logical sequence. -Thesis Paper -Take a definite stand on a issue.

-Examples: 1.How the Beatles got started as a rock group. (Report Paper) 2. A summary of the theories of hypnosis. (Report Paper) 3. Hypnosis is simply another form of Pavlovian conditioning. (Thesis Paper) 4.Lobbyists wield disproportionate influence on federal legislation. (Thesis Paper)

Drafts of the Research Paper Drafts of the Research Paper 1. At least three drafts 2. Each draft is a separate stage in the progress of the paper.

First draft They are supposed to be messy, and looks rough and scribbled over. They are supposed to show signs of major rewriting and the back-and- forth movement of composing. (the movement is called recursive)

Second draft After we corrected our first drafts, they become our second drafts. Ordinarily, writers make fewer and smaller changes in a second draft than in a first.

Third and final draft They are the one we submit. Even the final draft might be ripe for change.

Writing the research paper: Steps and schedule What we must do What we must produce When it is due

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