1. This Week’s Agenda Types of Research Papers Types of Research studies
What is Research Proposal?
Assignment 1 (5% of grade)

2. Types of Research Paper
In academic writing, a research paper is a logical, well-developed, persuasive answer to a research question.
Research paper does not just present your research as a list of facts or as a summary of sources.
Your paper is based on YOUR OWN ideas. It will be a presentation of your own opinion and/or analysis of a topic supported by evidence from your sources and sound reasoning.
You may already know your opinion, and if you don't, you will develop one as you research.
There are two basic types of research papers: argumentative and analytical.

3. Types of Research Paper…Cont’d
Argumentative paper, or position paper, takes a side on a debatable issue (it is possible to change someone's mind, including your own, about the issue). It answers a “yes/no” research question. The paper argues for your own position using strong arguments supported by logic and evidence from knowledgeable sources.
Analytical paper also argues for your opinion, but it answers a “why/how” question. It usually examines the causes, effects, or solutions of something. You will research answers to the question and then describe, explain, and evaluate them. Your paper will look deeply at each, rank them, and argue for the most significant ones.

4. Types of Research Studies-2 Main Types
1. Qualitative approach: involves the collection of extensive narrative (non-numerical) data in order to gain insights into phenomena of interest, data analysis includes the coding of the data and production of a verbal synthesis.
It can involve past or current events.
Simply put, it investigates the why and how, as compared to what, where, and when of quantitative research.
Qualitative researchers typically rely on the following methods for gathering information: (1) case study, (2) direct observation, (3) in depth interviews, and (4) analysis of documents and materials.
Examples:
-In-depth understanding/observation of certain human behavior and the reasons that govern human behavior.
-A multi-case study of students who excel despite non-facilitating environments.
-Effects of decisions of the United States Supreme Court on American Education.

5. 2. Quantitative Approach
Quantitative approach: The quantitative approaches involve the collection of numerical data in order to explain, predict, and/or control phenomena of interest, data analysis is mainly statistical.
Quantative researchers typically rely on the following methods for gathering numerical information: (1) Questionnaires, (2) surveys, (3) Interviews, and (4) direct observation
Examples of quantitative research
Research that consists of the percentage amounts of all the elements that make up Earth's atmosphere
Survey that concludes that the average patient has to wait two hours in the waiting room of a certain doctor before being selected.
An experiment in which group x was given two tablets of Aspirin a day and Group y was given two tablets of a placebo a day where each participant is randomly assigned to one or other of the groups.
The numerical factors such as two tablets, percent of elements and the
time of waiting make the situations and results quantitative.

6. What is a Prospectus/Proposal?
A prospectus is a proposal to undertake a research project = a research plan.
A prospectus is a statement that briefly describes the questions, materials, and methods a researcher will use in his or her research.
A prospectus is a preliminary statement for a paper.

7. Elements of a Research Proposal
1. Introduction: A prospectus contains a clear, concise introduction to the topic of the research- Brief background about your topic.
2. Research Questions: A prospectus states the main research questions that the researcher wishes to answer-What are the questions that your research would answer?
Develop several questions related to your topic, and then choose one that best fits the goals of your final paper.
Once you've chosen a general research question, it is a good idea to think about the more specific issues you'll have to examine in order to answer your general question.
Taking time to develop your questions will help you be more efficient in your research since it will help you decide which of the many available sources will be worth your time and energy. It can also help you determine fairly specific key words to use in your library, database, and internet searches, so you won't have to sort through thousands of possible articles, books, and web sites

8. Elements of a Research Proposal…Cont’d
3. Tentative Thesis/Hypothesis = A statement predicting the outcome of a study = The hypothesis is a refinement of the research problem.
-The thesis is just the answer to the question. Good thesis come from good questions, poor thesis come from unclear questions.
-What are your specific points about your topic?
-Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper
-Make sure your thesis is in the form of a statement, not a question.
-Make sure your thesis expresses your true opinion and not an exaggerated version of it.

9. Elements of a Research Proposal…Cont’d
4. Research Importance = the importance of your particular research and its benefit. State why this subject is worthy of investigation.
5. Methodology: the method which you will use collect data and info about your research. It should outline the methods you will use to answer your questions (how you will collect data and/or information and how you will analyze it).
-For the field study, provide a questionnaire/survey/interview questions/observation questions.
6. Important Definitions: Provide definitions for key words.
7. Preliminary Bibliography: the types of materials/references the researcher plans to examine and study.
-List 10 references that are relevant to your research project.
-Arrange them alphabetically.
-(NOTE: This might not be a complete list of all sources that are finally used in the research, but should indicate the research direction and the types of materials/sources you plan to examine and study.)

10. In what style should a prospectus be written?
A formal style generally is preferred.
Since the prospectus can not present the researcher's conclusion, i.e., the research has yet to be done, write the prospectus in the third person.
Use active voice verbs and a writer's voice that demonstrates confidence that the research has merit.
A prospectus that "sounds" dubious or not well considered typically indicates that the research project is dubious and not well considered.

11. To whom is a prospectus written?
The audience for the prospectus is the reader who will determine whether or not the research project should be undertaken. In this case the readers will be the instructor.