Planning the Research Paper

8/9/2019 Planning the Research Paper

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Writing Prompt:Writing Prompt:

If time did not exist, what would your life beIf time did not exist, what would your life be

like?like?


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Planning The ResearchPlanning The Research

PaperPaper


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Steps to FollowSteps to Follow

___1. Setting a schedule and beginning a research___1. Setting a schedule and beginning a researchjournaljournal

___2. Finding a researchable subject and question___2. Finding a researchable subject and question

___3. Developing a research strategy___3. Developing a research strategy


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___4___4. Finding sources, both print and electronic, and. Finding sources, both print and electronic, andmakingmaking a working bibliographya working bibliography

___5. Evaluating and synthesizing sources___5. Evaluating and synthesizing sources

___6. Mining and interacting with sources, often using___6. Mining and interacting with sources, often usingsummarysummary, paraphrase, and direct quotation, paraphrase, and direct quotation


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___7. Taking steps to avoid plagiarism___7. Taking steps to avoid plagiarism

___8. Developing a thesis statement___8. Developing a thesis statement

___9. Creating a structure___9. Creating a structure

___10. Drafting the paper, integrating summaries,___10. Drafting the paper, integrating summaries,paraphrasesparaphrases, and direct quotations into your, and direct quotations into yourideasideas


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______11. Revising and editing the paper11. Revising and editing the paper

___12. Citing sources in your text___12. Citing sources in your text

___13. Preparing the list of works cited___13. Preparing the list of works cited

___14. Preparing and proofreading the final manuscript___14. Preparing and proofreading the final manuscript

___Final paper due___Final paper due


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Choosing ASubjectChoosing ASubject

Ample Sources of information availableAmple Sources of information available

Pose a research questionPose a research question

TechnologyTechnologyWhen is technology bad? What makes it good? Is thereWhen is technology bad? What makes it good? Is there

such a thing as too much? Whats its purpose? Should itsuch a thing as too much? Whats its purpose? Should it

be available to all people regardless of income? What willbe available to all people regardless of income? What will

our future really be like if we let it go unencumbered?our future really be like if we let it go unencumbered?

DeathDeath

Should we let sick people use assisted suicide methods?Should we let sick people use assisted suicide methods?

Why are we afraid of death? If death is part of life, why isWhy are we afraid of death? If death is part of life, why is

it hidden and grieved? How far should life be extended?it hidden and grieved? How far should life be extended?


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Choosing ASubjectChoosing ASubject

Research a wide variety of sourcesResearch a wide variety of sources

Take notes as you researchTake notes as you research either on paper oreither on paper or

on your computer.on your computer. Be sure to include the vital statistics of yourBe sure to include the vital statistics of your

sources:sources: Date and city of publication, Date accessed (if internet)Date and city of publication, Date accessed (if internet)

Publisher, Book Title, Article page number, title of article,Publisher, Book Title, Article page number, title of article,

authors name, editors name, internet site nameauthors name, editors name, internet site name


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Drafting the Research PaperDrafting the Research Paper

Reread the assignment to review your instructorsReread the assignment to review your instructorscriteria.criteria.

Write a quick twoWrite a quick two-- or threeor three--paragraph summary ofparagraph summary of

what the paper will be about.what the paper will be about.

Start with the section of the paper you feel mostStart with the section of the paper you feel mostconfident about.confident about.


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Drafting the Research PaperDrafting the Research Paper

Work in chunks, one unit or principal idea at a time.Work in chunks, one unit or principal idea at a time.

Center each section on an idea of your own.Center each section on an idea of your own.

Take great care in working with source material.Take great care in working with source material.

Insert source citations into the draft as you quote,Insert source citations into the draft as you quote,paraphrase, or summarize.paraphrase, or summarize.


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Revising the Research PaperRevising the Research Paper

AssignmentAssignment

How does the draft satisfy all of the criteria statedHow does the draft satisfy all of the criteria statedin your instructors assignment?in your instructors assignment?

Thesis statementThesis statement

Does it describe your subject and yourDoes it describe your subject and yourperspective?perspective?

StructureStructureDoes borrowed material illuminate and supportDoes borrowed material illuminate and support

your own idea? Will the arrangement of ideas beyour own idea? Will the arrangement of ideas beclear to readers?clear to readers?


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Revising the Research PaperRevising the Research Paper

EvidenceEvidence

Where might readers need more evidence in orderWhere might readers need more evidence in orderto accept your idea? Where might the evidenceto accept your idea? Where might the evidence

seem weak or irrelevant?seem weak or irrelevant?

Reasonableness and clarityReasonableness and clarity

How reasonable will readers find your arguments?How reasonable will readers find your arguments?

Where do you need to define terms or conceptsWhere do you need to define terms or conceptsthat readers may not know or may dispute?that readers may not know or may dispute?


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Primary SourcesPrimary Sources

Primary sources are considered the best place toPrimary sources are considered the best place to

gather academic research.gather academic research.

Primary sources are the journals and booksPrimary sources are the journals and bookswhere academics and scientists publish thewhere academics and scientists publish theresults of their experiments and studies.results of their experiments and studies.

The articles in these journals are written by theThe articles in these journals are written by the

people who did the studies or by experts whopeople who did the studies or by experts whohave studied a topic for decades.have studied a topic for decades.


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Primary SourcesPrimary Sources

These are the journals and books that you areThese are the journals and books that you areexpected to use for academic research.expected to use for academic research.

Government websites and websites run myGovernment websites and websites run mymanaging organizations (such as the website formanaging organizations (such as the website forthe American Ivy Society, for a paper on ivy) arethe American Ivy Society, for a paper on ivy) arealso considered primary research, so don'talso considered primary research, so don'toverlook these sources.overlook these sources.


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Secondary SourcesSecondary Sources

Popular magazines, websites, books, andPopular magazines, websites, books, andnewspapers are secondary sources ofnewspapers are secondary sources ofinformation.information.

They take the information published in scholarlyThey take the information published in scholarlyjournals and make it available to consumers.journals and make it available to consumers.

They usually quote the scholarly journals orThey usually quote the scholarly journals or

books that published the information originally,books that published the information originally,adding explanations to make the informationadding explanations to make the informationeasier to understand or relate to.easier to understand or relate to.


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WebSearch EnginesWebSearch Engines

Directories that review sitesDirectories that review sites

BUBL link (bubl.ac.uk.link)BUBL link (bubl.ac.uk.link)

Internet Public Library (www.ipl

.org/div/subject)Internet Public Library (www

.ipl

.org/div/subject)

Internet Scout Project (scout.wisc.edu./archives)Internet Scout Project (scout.wisc.edu./archives)

Librarians Index to the Internet (lii.org)Librarians Index to the Internet (lii.org)

The most advanced and efficient enginesThe most advanced and efficient engines

AlltheWeb (alltheweb.com)AlltheWeb (alltheweb.com)

Google (www.google.com)Google (www.google.com)


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WebSearch EnginesWebSearch Engines

Other enginesOther engines

AltaVista (www.altavista.com)AltaVista (www.altavista.com)

A

sk Jeeves (www.ask

.com)

A

sk Jeeves (www.ask

.com)

Dogpile (www.dogpile.com)Dogpile (www.dogpile.com)

Excite (excite.com)Excite (excite.com)

Lycos (lycos.com)Lycos (lycos.com)

MetaCrawler (metacrawler.com)MetaCrawler (metacrawler.com)

Yahoo! (yahoo.com)Yahoo! (yahoo.com)


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Evaluating SourcesEvaluating Sources

RelevanceRelevance

Does the source devote some attention to yourDoes the source devote some attention to yoursubject?subject?

Is the source appropriately specialized for yourIs the source appropriately specialized for yourneeds?needs?

Is the source up to date enough for your subject?Is the source up to date enough for your subject?


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Evaluating WebSitesEvaluating WebSites

What type of site are you viewing?What type of site are you viewing?

Who is the author or sponsor?Who is the author or sponsor?

What is the purpose of the site?What is the purpose of the site?

What does context tell you?What does context tell you?

What does presentation tell you?What does presentation tell you?

How worthwhile is the content?How worthwhile is the content?


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SummarySummary

Summaries condense and encapsulate anotherSummaries condense and encapsulate another

piece of writing.piece of writing.

Summaries are most useful when you want toSummaries are most useful when you want torecord the gist of an authors idea without therecord the gist of an authors idea without thebackground or supporting evidence.background or supporting evidence.

Summaries are objective, concise and complete.Summaries are objective, concise and complete.


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Summary ExampleSummary Example -- OriginalOriginal

A recent Rand study, with researchA recent Rand study, with research

supported by thesupported by the MarkleMarkle Foundation, concludedFoundation, concludedthat in the foreseeable future the free market isthat in the foreseeable future the free market is

likely to deliver email to only half ofAmerica.likely to deliver email to only half ofAmerica.

Without induced subsidies, perhaps fromWithout induced subsidies, perhaps fromInternet access fees, the computer industry mayInternet access fees, the computer industry may

never produce the inexpensive technologies thatnever produce the inexpensive technologies thatwould enable technology to bring email into thewould enable technology to bring email into thehome.home.


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SummarySummary

A Rand study says government direction andA Rand study says government direction and

subsidy may be required to make emailsubsidy may be required to make emailtechnology universal and accessible to alltechnology universal and accessible to all

(Frankel 42).(Frankel 42).


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ParaphraseParaphrase

An idea restated in someone elses wordsAn idea restated in someone elses words

Not necessarily shorter than the originalNot necessarily shorter than the original

Does not distort the originalDoes not distort the original


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Paraphrase ExampleParaphrase Example

OriginalOriginal

The Serbian campaign, however, had never beenThe Serbian campaign, however, had never beenmore than a slideshow to Austrias great battle on itsmore than a slideshow to Austrias great battle on itsnorthern frontier with Russian Poland.northern frontier with Russian Poland. JohnJohnKeegan,Keegan, The First World WarThe First World War(155)(155)

ParaphraseParaphrase

John Keegan observes in his historyJohn Keegan observes in his historyThe First WorldThe First WorldWarWarthat Austrias battle with Poland overshadowedthat Austrias battle with Poland overshadowedin importance the fighting that took place in Serbiain importance the fighting that took place in Serbia(155). (Works Cited would have complete(155). (Works Cited would have complete

documentation)documentation)


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Direct QuotationsDirect Quotations

When borrowing from other writers, use directWhen borrowing from other writers, use direct

quotations sparingly, relying more on summaryquotations sparingly, relying more on summaryand paraphrase.and paraphrase.

Reserve Direct Quotations for sentences inReserve Direct Quotations for sentences inwhich the words cannot be changed withoutwhich the words cannot be changed without

altering the meaning or the effect you want toaltering the meaning or the effect you want to

produce.produce. Examples include highly technical phrases,Examples include highly technical phrases,

expert opinions, and ideas aptly phrased.expert opinions, and ideas aptly phrased.


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An Example of aAn Example of a

Direct Quotation

Direct Quotation

OriginalOriginal

The opening phrase of the Galician battle was, inThe opening phrase of the Galician battle was, inconsequence, to be confused and indecisive. It wasconsequence, to be confused and indecisive. It wasa useless effort often seen as one executed more fora useless effort often seen as one executed more forreasons of pride than of truth.reasons of pride than of truth.

Direct QuoteDirect Quote

The opening phrase of the Galician battle was, inThe opening phrase of the Galician battle was, inconsequence, to be confused and indecisiveconsequence, to be confused and indecisive(Keegan 155).(Keegan 155).


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Tests for Direct Quotations fromTests for Direct Quotations from

Secondary Sources

Secondary Sources

The authors original satisfies one of theseThe authors original satisfies one of these

requirements:requirements:

The language is unusually bold or inventive.The language is unusually bold or inventive.

The quotation cannot be paraphrased withoutThe quotation cannot be paraphrased withoutdistortion or loss of meaning.distortion or loss of meaning.

The authors words are at issue in yourThe authors words are at issue in your

interpretationinterpretation..


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Tests for Direct Quotations fromTests for Direct Quotations from

Secondary Sources

Secondary Sources

The quotation represents and emphasizes a bodyThe quotation represents and emphasizes a bodyof opinion or the view of an important expert.of opinion or the view of an important expert.

The quotation emphatically reinforces your ownThe quotation emphatically reinforces your own

idea.idea.

The quotation is a graph, diagram, or table.The quotation is a graph, diagram, or table.

The quotation is as short as possible:The quotation is as short as possible:

It includes only material relevant to your point.It includes only material relevant to your point. It is edited to eliminate examples and otherIt is edited to eliminate examples and other

unneeded material.unneeded material.


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Verbs to use when using sourcesVerbs to use when using sources

Use verbs that convey information aboutUse verbs that convey information about

source authors attitudes or approachessource authors attitudes or approaches..

See next slideSee next slide


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Author isAuthor is

neutralneutral

Author infersAuthor infers

or suggestsor suggests

Author arguesAuthor argues Author isAuthor is

uneasy oruneasy or

disparagingdisparaging

commentscomments analyzesanalyzes claimsclaims belittlesbelittles

describesdescribes asksasks contendscontends bemoansbemoans

explainsexplains assessesassesses defendsdefends complainscomplains

illustratesillustrates concludesconcludes disagreesdisagrees condemnscondemns

notesnotes findsfinds holdsholds deploresdeplores

observesobserves predictspredicts insistsinsists deprecatesdeprecates

points outpoints out proposesproposes maintainsmaintains deridesderidesrecordsrecords revealsreveals lamentslaments

relatesrelates showsshows warnswarns


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AChecklist for Avoiding PlagiarismAChecklist for Avoiding Plagiarism

Type of sourceType of source

Are you usingAre you using

your own independent material,your own independent material,

common knowledge, orcommon knowledge, or

someone elses independent material?someone elses independent material?

You must acknowledge someone elses material.You must acknowledge someone elses material.


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QuotationsQuotations

Do all quotations exactly match their sources?Do all quotations exactly match their sources?

Have you inserted quotation marks aroundHave you inserted quotation marks aroundquotations that are run into your text?quotations that are run into your text?

Have you shown omissions with ellipsis marks andHave you shown omissions with ellipsis marks andadditions with brackets?additions with brackets?

Does every quotation have a source citation?Does every quotation have a source citation?


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Paraphrases and summariesParaphrases and summaries

Have you used your own words and sentenceHave you used your own words and sentencestructure for every paraphrase and summary? If not,structure for every paraphrase and summary? If not,

use quotation marks around the original authorsuse quotation marks around the original authorswords.words.

Does every paraphrase and summary have a sourceDoes every paraphrase and summary have a sourcecitation?citation?


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The WebThe Web

Have you obtained any necessary permission to useHave you obtained any necessary permission to usesomeone elses material on the Web?someone elses material on the Web?

Source citationsSource citations

Have you acknowledged every use of someone elsesHave you acknowledged every use of someone elsesmaterial in the place where you use it?material in the place where you use it?

Does your list of works cited include all the sourcesDoes your list of works cited include all the sourcesyou have used?you have used?


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RevisionRevision

According to one critic of the penal system,According to one critic of the penal system,

The character and mentality of the keepersThe character and mentality of the keepersmay be of more importance in understandingmay be of more importance in understanding

prisons than the character and mentality of theprisons than the character and mentality of the

kept (Mitford 9).kept (Mitford 9).


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Lindenwoods Butler LibraryLindenwoods Butler Library

http://www.lindenwood.edu/http://www.lindenwood.edu/


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Troy Buchanan District SourcesTroy Buchanan District Sources

http://troy.k12.mo.us/district/news.phphttp://troy.k12.mo.us/district/news.php

InformationInformation

Internet ResourcesInternet Resources LibraryLibrary

Library SpotLibrary Spot

Documents

Planning the Research Paper