1. Preparation for a Major Paper
Assistant Professor Elaine Sharplin

2. Contact details: Assistant Professor Elaine Sharplin + 61 8 6488 2368

3. Major Paper Pathways & Processes
Small scale project
Literature review
Policy Analysis
Select a topic/area
Plan the project/review/analysis
Submit an outline
Collect & analyse content
Prepare draft
Submit draft to supervisor
Amend draft in response to feedback
Submit Major Paper
See p. 3

4. Formal Requirements
Word length: approximately 10,000 words or 40 pages
Format: word-processed and double-spaced on A4 paper
Style: scholarly report with use of consistent referencing protocols
Structure: table of contents and use of headings where appropriate
Referencing: a consistent referencing system such as APA
Authorship: the student is to be the sole author of the report
Assessment: the paper will be marked by a member of staff of the Graduate School of Education.
See p. 8

5. Important Dates 4-6 Feb: Preparation sessions
1 March: 2 page outline to
12 April: First draft submitted to Joseph Tan & ed to Janet Edwards
13-15 May: Supervision visit by Steve Houghton for feedback
30 June: Major Paper submission
See p. 9

6. Literature Review Phase 1: Planning
2.1 Choosing your topic What is a literature review?
2.2 Questions to ask
Phase 2: Conducting a document or archival search
2.3 Locating the sources
2.4 Reading and processing the sources
2.5 Assessing the sources
2.6 Synthesising the sources
Phase 3: Writing up
2.7 Writing up the findings in the major paper

7. Samples of Literature Review Topics
Gender and Language in Computer Mediated Communication (Consideration of the following questions: How democratic is the communication that is currently taking place via electronic networks?; To what extent are there gender differences in relation to interactions and contexts in CMC?; How does the structure of language in CMC reflect/promote gender division?)
SAER students and emotional Intelligence (How do teachers engage SAER students to become independent and emotionally intelligent learners?)
The introduction of English Literature within the English Curriculum in an ESL context in Malaysia (What are the attitudes of teachers and students to the learning of English Literature? How has curriculum policy impacted on the teaching and learning of English? What strategies promote effective learning?)

8. Policy Analysis Phase 1: Planning
3.1 Selecting a policy of interest
3.2 Questions to ask
Phase 2: Conducting a document or archival search
3.3 Locating the sources
3.4 Assessing the sources
3.5 Examining policy impact through data collection & analysis (see small scale project)
Phase 3: Writing up
3.6 Writing up the findings in the major paper

9. Pathway 1: Small scale project
Phase 1: Planning
1.1 Identifying a researchable topic
1.2 Framing a set of research questions
1.3 Research plan development
1.4 Ethical considerations and obtaining consent
1.5 Gaining access and establishing rapport
1.6 Data management strategies
Phase 2: Conducting the data collection and analysis
1.7 Reviewing the literature
1.8 Data Collection (Interviewing/Surveys and questionnaires)
1.9 Data analysis strategies
Phase 3: Writing up
1.10 Writing up the findings in the major paper

10. The “two pager” This is an outline of your proposed project
It is not a full proposal document
The purpose of this document is to provide your supervisor with information so that they can guide you.
It should identify:
Your chosen pathway
A clear statement of the questions you are going to address
A clear statement of the method you will use to answer your questions
Main bodies of literature you will examine
Identify any ethical considerations
Other requirements as stipulated for each pathway

11. Ethical Considerations
What is voluntary informed consent?
Voluntary - you may not provide any form of inducement (money, gifts or goods), favour (promise of a higher grade or favourable report) or threat against participants involved in the research.
Informed - knowing what a reasonable person in the same situation would want to know before giving consent to participate (i.e.; how much time will be required of the participant; how will the identity of participants or study site will be concealed or disguised; whether deception is to be used and whether participants will be at risk of any harm by participating in the project).
Consent - explicit agreement to participate (a signed and dated written contract between the researcher and the participant).

12. Privacy, confidentiality and anonymity
Privacy - controlling the access of others to themselves
Confidentiality - data (i.e.: records that may be either written or taped) and how this will be handled, stored and who will have access to it.
Anonymity - to the names and other unique identifiers of participants and whether these are attached to the data or known to the researcher.

13. Special Areas
Research involving minors – parental consent to participation
Issues of power – research involving subordinates or students
Minority or disadvantaged groups – disabled, participants from minority cultures (languages)

14. Letter of information and Consent Forms
You must provide potential participants with a letter outlining the nature and purpose of your research (including your position and the role of this research to your study).
You must outline the nature and length of their involvement – what exactly do you want them to do?
You must address the issues of confidentiality and anonymity.
Participants have the right to withdraw from research at any time without any negative consequences.
Participants must sign to indicate they understand and are willing to participate.

15. Structure of a Major paper
Pathway 1 Small Scale Project (Suggested word length as a rough guide only)
Title and title page
Abstract ( wds)
Introduction – area, topic and statement of purpose or aims (1,000)
Research questions (300)
The literature (2,500)
Methods – design – strategy and framework (1,500)
- sample –
- data collection – instruments and procedures
- data analysis
Consent, access and participants’ protection (500)
Findings/Discussion (3500)
Significance (700)
References
Appendices

16. Structure of a Major Paper
Pathway 2: Literature Review
Title and title page
Abstract ( )
Introduction – area, topic and statement of purpose or aims (1,000)
The literature – divided into sub sections using headings (7,500)
Significance/implications (750)
Future questions for research (750)
References
Appendices

17. Structure of a Major Paper
Pathway 3: Policy Analysis
Title and title page
Abstract ( )
Introduction – area, topic and statement of purpose or aims (1,000)
Policy Context – background (1000)
Policy Analysis – divided into sub sections using headings (6,500)
Significance/implications/recommendations (750)
Future questions for research (750)
References
Appendices

18. Assessment of your Major Paper
See distributed rubric
English language component missing