Research: Writing Like a Scholar
A research paper is an expanded essay that presents your own interpretation, evaluation, or argument, using what knowledge is already available on the subject. This type of paper involves studying a topic in order to find the best possible information in that field. Your paper must present your own opinions and ideas supported by your research, correctly credited to the original authors and organizations.
Basic Requirements:
- Length: 900-1,500 words. A minimum of 900 words is required in order for your essay to be substantial. What is important is that you get your point across.
- Organization: Introduction, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion.
- Language: Use formal language and avoid the use of first and second person — avoid references to yourself (NO “I believe, in my opinion” etc.), no personal anecdotes, and do not address the reader (avoid “you” altogether).
- Documentation: five correctly documented quotes or paraphrases from five adequate sources.
- Style: APA style is usually used for the type of research you will be doing. Continue in that style unless otherwise stated by your professor.
- Cross-referencing: You must use in-text citations (also known as in-text references) or signal phrases each time you use the words or ideas of your sources in the essay. Cross-reference your work as explained in your handbook. The handbook is especially necessary for this essay.
- Support: You’ll need a minimum of five sources. Support your ideas with expert opinion, facts, statistics, and other information you find in your research. It is a mistake to create a Frankenstein research paper by copying and pasting.
BEFORE SUBMITTING check the list for all to be completed
In addition to proofreading for spelling, grammar, and usage and making sure you use clear and simple language, ask yourself the following:
- Did you use formal language (avoiding contractions, the use of first or second person and personal anecdotes)?
- Is your thesis statement clearly stated, preferably at the end of the introduction, and did it reflect a clear position on your topic?
- Are generalizations and opinions supported by specific details?
- Did you bring up the opposition’s viewpoints and refuted them with counter-arguments of your own?
- When you used source material, did you introduce the quotations you used in a signal phrase?
- Did you add an in-text citation each time you used a source?
- Did you cross-reference your sources correctly? All citations should have an entry in the References page.
- Did you include excessive quotations; is too much of your paper quoted material, or are you including irrelevant information? (Don’t do this! The number of quotations should not exceed 25% or so of your total essay).
- Have you looked at the sample paper in your handbook? Are all the details, including dates in your bibliographic entries, spacing, indentation etc. correct?
- Did you assemble your References page correctly? Remember that organizations, such as World Health Organization and Pew Research Center are listed as authors. Did you alphabetize the entries?
- Is your paper formatted correctly based on the Formatting and Typing Guidelines provided?
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