Writing a Research Paper

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Writing a Research Paper

• Connect-to-the-World 2001

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Two main types of research papers

• Analytical-uses evidence to analyze facets of an
  issueUpper level research
• Research Question
• Survey information
• Evaluate sources
• Add your own point of view

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Argumentative paper

• Uses evidence to convince the reader of your
  point of view or position on an issue (Pro/Con)
• Argument sustained with evidence and reasons
• This is your thesis

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Critical Thinking

• Evaluate the efficacy of the information yourself
• Remain objective
• Allow author to convince you of his argument

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Topic

• Take a topic which your professor suggests or
  assigns
• Choose a subject which interests you
• Have it approved by your professor

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Thesis

• Analytical paper - topic being investigated and
  analyzed
• Argumentative paper - thesis statement-
• point-of-view
• In the initial stages of research, the thesis can
  be modified

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Plagiarism

• Buying, stealing or borrowing someone elses
  paper
• Hiring someone to write your paper
• Copying from another source without citing
• Using the source too closely when paraphrasing
• Building on someones ideas without citation

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To avoid plagiarism

• Mark everything that is someone elses words with
  a big Q (for quote) or with big quotations marks
• Indicate in your notes which ideas are taken from
  sources (S) and which are your own insights (ME)
• Record all of the relevant documentation
  information in your notes

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Avoiding plagiarism (contd)

• Write your paper without looking at your notes so
  that you use your own words
• When you quote, keep the persons name near the
  quote
• Re-write key ideas using different words and
  sentence structures than the original text

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Need for Documentation

• When you are using or referring to somebody
  elses words or ideas
• When you use information gained through
  interviewing another person
• When you copy the exact words or a unique
  phrase from something which you have read
• When you reprint diagrams, charts, etc.

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Starting your research

• Know what kind of information you want
• How current it should be
• Read the indexes and table of contents of books
• Critically read and evaluate sources
• Where the material is published and the
  credentials of the author are very important

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http//www.uconn.edu/
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http//norman.lib.uconn.edu/NewSpirit/Databases/
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Note taking

• When you are writing your notes, use a different
  colored pen to record the source information,
  quotations, and anything else you will have to
  cite (like a chart)
• Dont just highlight pertinent information from
  your readings, write it out in your own words
• Use cards or paper but separate sources

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Start writing the paper

• Read through all your notes
• Make an outline (logical progression of similar
  items grouped together moving from general to
  specific
• Put your notes away and write the paper from
  memory
• Insert footnotes

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Bibliography

• List of the sources you used
• It is important that you have the title, author,
  publication, date and page numbers for all your
  sources
• Anything quoted has to have a source
• MLA, APA, and Turabian style sheets are available
  in the library and a librarian is there to help
  you.

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Finishing up

• Read through your notes and your paper again to
  make sure that you didnt leave anything out.
• You should have written something for every line
  of your outline
• Consider your conclusion. Do you still agree with
  it?
• Make sure that you have given credit for other
  peoples ideas