Writing a Research Paper

OrYes you must write one,

And No, you can’t steal it from the Internet

What is a research paper?• “Writing a research paper requires

you to seek out information about a subject, take a stand on it, and back it up with the opinions, ideas, and views of others.” (Winkler, 3)

“A research report presents information that the writer has learned through a detective-like search for facts. Fact are found in books, magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, atlases, computer programs, even in personal interviews.” (Null,4)

“A research report is a composition based on information drawn from books, periodicals, interviews, and media resources including the Internet or other online sources.” (Senn, C523)

The journey of a thousand miles

begins with a single step

Lao-tzu, The Way of Lao-tzuChinese philosopher (604 BC - 531 BC)

A great research paper starts with a

single step.

Miss Mott

English Teacher

Step 1

• Understand the assignment• This means more than just the subject of the

research• You must understand what you are truly being

ask to produceA. What form it will take

B. Length

C. Style

D. # and type of sources

E. How is supposed to look

A. What form it will take:

• This is what type of paper is expected

• The assignment might be to write a certain type of paper

• Or the subject may determine the form

Report:

a form of independent study summarizes and reports on the facts found

Writer neither judges nor evaluates

The History of the Rome Em

pire

Thesis:

Takes a definitive stand on an issue – a point of view

writer argues or defends the side against all possible rebuttals

the writer must exercise judgment, evaluate evidence and construct a logical argument in favor of their side

Lobbyists wield disproportionate influence on federal legislation

Issue Analysis:

Highlights a particular issue or problem

focuses on an analysis of the issue and its solutions probably from both the historical and current perspective

writer is a neutral observer, merely reporting the facts of the issue

The Genocide in Dalfur

Literary analysis:

sometimes called a critique or an evaluative paper that critically and carefully examines another writer’s work

the purpose is to analyze critically a segment of a published body of knowledge

The writer will use summary, classification, and comparison of prior research studies, reviews of literature, and theoretical articles.

The Clown in Shakespearian Drama

Regardless of FORM:

• Success is based on how well the research was conducted, the organization of the information, and the clarity with which it is communicated to the reader

What form it will take: How to tell:

If asked to Analyze:

That means

To break into its parts and find out how the parts are related to each other.

Discuss cause and effect, explain your opinions and revel facts and truths

Other words that mean this: evaluate, examine, explain, describe,

FORM: Thesis, Issue Analysis, Literary analysis

If asked to Argue or Support:

that means take a stand on one side

or the other.

must give evidence and reasons why you feel that way

other words: justify, defend, persuade,

FORM: Thesis, Literary Analysis

If to Describe:

this means to use carefully selected

details to re-create an issue/idea so the reader can understand

Other words: narrate, relate tell about, portray

FORMS: Report, Issue Analysis, Literary Analysis

If you are asked to Discuss:

this means:tell what is known about a

subject from more than one perspective

Other words: compare/contrast,

FORMS: Report

B. Length

• The length is usually given in TYPED pages or in words– the computer will count both of

them for you » For most people 2 pages of handwritten work

will equal 1 page of typed material

WORD COUNTS FOR DIFFERENT WORKS Epic: A work of 200,000 words or more. Novel: A work of 60,000 words or more. Novella: A work of at least 17,500 words but under 60,000

words. Novelette: A work of at least 7,500 words but under 17,500

words. Short story: A work of at least 2,000 words but under 7,500

words. (1,000 words minimum by some definitions) Flash fiction: A work of less than 2,000 words. (1,000 by some

definitions)

The acceptable length of a thesis varies greatly, dependent predominantly on the subject. Griffith University gives the following maximums (not including appendices or footnotes):

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): 100,000 words

Master of Philosophy(M.Phil.): 50,000 words

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.): 50,000 words

Doctor of Visual Arts(D.F.A.): 20,000 words

(Wikipedia)

C. Style• Many professors, and Universities will require the

purchase of a specific style manual. » Almost every Academic field has an organization which will

put out a style manual specific to persons of that field» What is a Style Manual?

A handbook or guide that illustrates the accepted format

for citing your references in term papers, theses, articles, etc. (CSULA)

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Chicago Style

MLA (Modern Language Association) Style

Turabian Style

These are the common styles used.

» We will use MLA.

D. # and type of sources

– Some teacher/professors will set a minimum number of sources you must have

– Some teacher/professors will set the type of sources» EX. Books, internet, newspapers, magazines, etc

E. How it is supposed to look:– Font and size

– Cover page or not» if yes, design?» What information?

– Page numbers. Or not» If yes, where?

– Section breaks or Not» if yes, titles?

Title

Name

Class, period

Step 2

• Think about how to get it done– The paper is a end product– Don’t focus so much on the end, that you loss

sight have everything you have to do to get there.

Step 3

Choosing the topic: How do you do it?

1. The teacher assigns it specifically.

You must do a literary analysis of the characters in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About

Nothing.

2. The teacher assigns it generally.

Research Paper on a British Writer

3. It’s left totally up to you.

• The teacher assigns it specifically• You don’t have to worry about selecting it, just

how are you going to find the information you need.

• The teacher assigns it generally.• Do some reading on the general topic,

• Get an overview

• Find a portion that interests you

– You may want to choose more than one thing just in case you can’t find enough information

• It’s left totally up to you .• Pick something you are interested in some way

• Pick something you would like to learn more about

• But limit the topic to something manageable

• EXAMPLE– Feudal Weapons

– Swords– Axes– Shields– Mace– Lance– Crossbows– Daggers– Long bows– Flail– Halberds– pike– Ballista– Battering ram– Catapult– Trebuchets– Mangonel

Limit it:

– Personal weaponsSwords

Axes

Shields

Mace

Lance

Crossbows

Daggers

Long bows

Flail

Halberds

pike

– Siege Weapons:

BallistaBattering ramCatapultTrebuchetsMangonel

Limit it:

KnightsSwords

Axes

Shields

Mace

Daggers

Flail

Foot Soldiers:

Long bows

Axes

Lance

Halberds

Pikes

Daggers

Swords

ShieldsArchers

Crossbows

Long bows

Daggers

Step 4

• Thinking about research– What questions do I need to answer– What information do I need?– Where do I look to find it?– How do I find it?– What do I do with it when I find it?

• What information do I need?– Start by asking questions you would like the

answers to.– Brainstorm key words– get an overview of the subject

– Encyclopedias– Summaries of article on the subject– Short books– Short articles

• Where do I look to find it?– Library

• Books• Magazines• Pictures• Documents

– Computer– TV– Radio– Interviews

• Library Research:– Books

• Locate any books on your topic using the card/online catalog.

• Check the index for key words• Take notes or check them out and take notes at

home

– Reference materials• May not check out.• Take notes in Library• Include things like:

» Encyclopedias» Dictionaries» Atlases» Almanacs

– Indexes:• Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature• New York Times• Used to find magazine articles

– Periodicals:• Things printed periodically

– Newspapers

– Magazines

– Audiovisual Material• Audiocassettes• Videos• DVDs• CD-ROMs

– Special Collections• Works on state/locate history or anything “special”• Don’t circulate

• How do I find it?– Using key words:

• Indexes of books• Encyclopedia articles• Google• Ask.com

– Synonyms for key words• Indexes of books• Encyclopedia articles • Google• Ask.com

• Computer searches:

– Use a search engine:– www.Google.com– www.ask.com– www.yahoo.com – www.dogpile.com – www.metacrawler.com – www.altavista.com – www.lycos.com – www.bing.com

– Use your key words

Synonyms: Feudal Weaponry• Medieval weapons• Middle Ages weapons• Armor and Arms • Personal weapons• Siege weapons• Swords• Axes• Shields• Mace• Lance• Crossbows• Daggers• Long bows• Flail• Halberds• pike• Ballista• Battering ram• Catapult• Trebuchets• Mangonel

• What do I do with it when I find it? – Evaluate it– Take notes

STEP 5

• How do I evaluate the usefulness of the

information I find?– It depends on the source.

• Books – Check Table of Contents AND Index

» Is there any information on your subject in the book?

– What is the publication date?

» Too old for up-to-date information?

» But okay for “historical” information?

– Who is the author?

» What are his/her credentials?

» Could he/she be biased?

• Articles– Does it contain information on your subject?– What is the publication date?

» Too old for up-to-date information?» But okay for “historical” information?

– Who is the author?» What are his/her credentials?» Could he/she be biased?

– Is it published in “special” interest magazine?

• Internet– Check the domain name

» .com = commercial (for profit) site» .edu = educational facility» .mil = military» .org = organization» .gov = governmental agency» Does it have a “special” interest?» Have you heard of the org., edu., gov.?

– Does the article have a “signed” author?» Same test as for other authors

– Recently up-dated?» Same as for other dated material

– Is the information fitting in with the material you have found on other sites or in other sources?

» JUST BECAUSE IT IS ON THE INTERNET DOES NOT MAKE IT TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• To appreciate the importance of web site evaluation, compare these two web sites on Martin Luther King, Jr. • Martin Luther King, Jr.: A True Historical

Examination available at: http://www.martinlutherking.org/ — Despite its professional look and fancy title, the tone and content of this web page suggests a very strong racial bias and further investigation indicates that this web page was created by the Stormfront White Nationalist Group. Note that this site comes up as the third entry in a Google search for "Martin Luther King." (by the way… St. Bernarded)

• The Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers Project at: http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/ — This comprehensive web site devoted to the life and works of Dr. King is made available by Stanford University, a very reputable educational institution

STEP 6

• How do I take notes?– The goal of note taking are to summarize the main

points in your own words and record quotations that you might use in your research report. (Senn,C537)

– On index cards – • Make source card• Read the material• One fact per card• Source id on card• Page number on card• Topic on card

More about to come later!!!!!

SIDE TRIP- Plagiarism

• What is it?

• How do you avoid it?

• What will happen if you don’t avoid it?– In this class– In college– In real life

Side trip

• What is it?– Using someone else’s words or ideas as if they are

your own. (Glenco, 15)– The act of passing off another’s words and ideas as

your own. (Winkler, 93)– Using another’s work without giving credit….“Work”

includes the words and ideas of others, as well as art, graphics, computer programs, music, and other creative expression. The work may consist of writing, charts, data, graphs, pictures, diagrams, websites, movies, TV broadcasts, or other communication media. (UC-Davis)

• It's like lip-synching to someone else's voice and accepting the applause and rewards for yourself.

Side trip

• “To a writer, an artist or a musician, plagiarism is just like identity theft, because creative people’s identities are wrapped up in the works they produce.”

• Glenn Barr

Side trip• How can you avoid plagiarism?

– Know what plagiarism is:• ignorance is not an excuse.

– Intentional plagiarism, such as deliberate copying or use of another’s work without credit, submitting a paper from the Internet as one’s own, or altering or falsifying citations to hide sources

– Unintentional plagiarism may result from not knowing how to cite sources properly, sloppy research and

note-taking, or careless cutting and pasting from electronic resources

– Use your own words and ideas.

– Give credit for copied, adapted, or paraphrased material

– Avoid using others work with minor “cosmetic”changes. Examples: using “less” for “fewer,” reversing the order of a sentence,

changing terms in a computer code, or altering a spreadsheet layout. If the work is essentially the same as your source, give credit.

– Always cite words, information and ideas that you use if they are new toyou (learned in your research).

(UC-Davis)

Side trip - continued

• How can you avoid plagiarism? (continued)

– Beware of “common knowledge.” You may not haveto cite “common knowledge,” but the fact mustreally be commonly known.

– When in doubt, cite. Better to be give unnecessary credit than not give credit when you should!

(UC-Davis)

Side trip - continued

• How can you avoid plagiarism? (continued)

– Summarize: read the passage, without looking, write the main points, do not include your interpretations, do not add your ideas, after finished check for accuracy

– Paraphrase: read the passage, without looking, rewrite the passage in your own words, include all points made by the author, do not include your interpretations, do not add your ideas, after finished check for accuracy

– Quote: copy the author’s words exactly and place them within quotation marks. Include the capitalization and punctuations. If there is a mistake in the passage, place (sic) in the quote.

Side trip - continued• How can you avoid plagiarism? (continued)

– Summarize example• Example

– Original text – 'At a typical football match we are likely to see players committing

deliberate fouls, often behind the referee's back. They might try to take a throw-in or a free kick from an incorrect but more advantageous positions in defiance of the clearly stated rules of the game. They sometimes challenge the rulings of the referee or linesmen in an offensive way which often deserves exemplary punishment or even sending off. No wonder spectators fight amongst themselves, damage stadiums, or take the law into their own hands by invading the pitch in the hope of affecting the outcome of the match.' [100 words]

– Summary – Unsportsmanlike behavior by footballers may cause hooliganism

among spectators. [9 words]

(mantex)Football = SoccerFootballer = Soccer player

Side trip - continued

• How can you avoid plagiarism? (continued)

– Paraphrase examples: all From UC-DavisOriginal Source: ‘[A totalitarian] society … can never permit eitherthe truthful recording of facts, or the emotional sincerity, thatliterary creation demands. … Totalitarianism demands … thecontinuous alteration of the past, and in the long run … a disbeliefin the very existence of objective truth.’ 3

Student Version A -- PlagiarismA totalitarian society can never permit the truthful recording of facts;it demands the continuous alteration of the past, and a disbelief in thevery existence of objective truth

This is plagiarism; the student has combined copied pieces of theauthor’s language, without quotation marks or citations

Side trip - continuedOriginal Source: ‘[A totalitarian] society … can never permit eitherthe truthful recording of facts, or the emotional sincerity, thatliterary creation demands. … Totalitarianism demands … thecontinuous alteration of the past, and in the long run … a disbeliefin the very existence of objective truth.’ 3

Student Version B -- Improper paraphrase, also plagiarismA totalitarian society can’t be open-minded or allow the truthfulrecording of facts, but instead demands the constant changing of thepast and a distrust of the very existence of objective truth. (Orwell)

This is plagiarism because the student has woven together sentencesand switched a few words (“open-minded” for “tolerant,” “allow”

for “permit”) has left out some words, and has given an incompleteand inaccurate citation

Side trip - continuedOriginal Source: ‘[A totalitarian] society … can never permit eitherthe truthful recording of facts, or the emotional sincerity, thatliterary creation demands. … Totalitarianism demands … thecontinuous alteration of the past, and in the long run … a disbeliefin the very existence of objective truth.’ 3

Student Version C -- Appropriate paraphrase, not plagiarismOrwell believed that totalitarian societies must suppress literature

and free expression because they cannot survive the truth, and thusthey claim it does not exist. (Bowker) pp. 336-337

This student has paraphrased using her own words, accuratelyreflecting and citing the author’s ideas.

Side trip - continued– Quote Example: also from UC-D

Original Source: ‘[A totalitarian] society … can never permit eitherthe truthful recording of facts, or the emotional sincerity, thatliterary creation demands. … Totalitarianism demands … thecontinuous alteration of the past, and in the long run … a disbeliefin the very existence of objective truth.’ 3

Student Version D -- Quotation with cite, not plagiarismIn his biography of George Orwell, Gordon Bowker discusses thethemes of 1984, quoting a 1946 essay by Orwell: “’Totalitarianismdemands … the continuous alteration of the past, and in the long run… a disbelief in the very existence of objective truth.’” (Bowker p.337, quoting Orwell, 1946)

By introducing his source, the student signals that the following material is from that source. Verbatim words are in quotation marks, omitted words are

marked by ellipses (…), and both the book used and the original source of the quote are cited.

Side trip - continued

• What will happen if you don’t avoid it?

– In real lifeShafer, Jack. "The Jayson Blair Project: How did he

bamboozle the New York Times?“ Slate.  8 May 2003.  30 August 2003

http://slate.msn.com/id/2082741/

Jayson Blair was a young journalist of the New York Times who was caught both plagiarizing and making up information from other newspapers - most notably in stories about Jessica Lynch and The Washington D.C. sniper killings.  He was fired immediately. 

Side trip - continued

• What will happen if you don’t avoid it?• In real life

Goldman, David. "Storyteller: Stephen Glass makes fact from fiction." Biography,Oct99,p22, 1p.

This article reports on the firing of  Stephen Glass, associate editor of The New Republic who was caught making up his news stories.  He cited non-existent sources and even posted a fake corporate website to back up one of his stories. An investigation uncovered many examples of fabricated stories throughout his career.

Side trip - continued

• What will happen if you don’t avoid it?• In real life

ALBERT FLORES - WEATHERMAN FIRED

" Longtime  (San Antonio) weather icon Albert Flores has been yanked from his duties as on-air meteorologist at KENS-5 'for the time being.‘ Flores was accused of plagiarism by Express-News, which until this weekend ran four columns per week penned by Flores." <http://www.sanantoniolightning.com/copy1.html>

Side trip - continued

• What will happen if you don’t avoid it?• In real life

SENATOR JOE BIDEN – Vice President

http://www.nutsandboltsguide.com/plagiarism.html

"Plagiarism can have catastrophic consequences for one's career as a student and even later on in life—and the higher one's ambition takes one, the higher the stakes. In 1987, for instance, Senator Joe Biden, who was seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, was accused of plagiarizing passages in speeches and interviews from the oratory of a British politician, Neil Kinnock.”

Side trip - continued

• What will happen if you don’t avoid it?– In college- depends on the college

• Rescinding of acceptance to school, if found guilty before actually attending school

• failing the course • expulsion from school without tuition reimbursement, or credits• Withheld or revocation of degrees already granted up to and including PhDs

“ By now, Blair Hornstine expected to be packing her bags for Harvard, where she was in the class of 2007. But the 18-year-old from Moorestown, N.J., is making other plans. The Harvard Crimson reported last week that the school had rescinded Hornstine's acceptance after learning that she had used unattributed text from other authors in columns for a local paper."

Kantrowitz, Barbara and Julie Scelfol. "Harvard to Hornstine: No Way." Newsweek.       21 July 2003: 50. MasterFILE Select. Ruben A. Cirillo High School Library.       3 October 2006. <http://search.epnet.com/direct.asp?an=10238319&db=mfh>.

Side trip - continued

• What will happen if you don’t avoid it?– In this class

• you get a zero on the paper

which may or may not fail you for the six weeks, since it is A LARGE PER CENT OF THE MAJOR GRADES THIS 6 WEEKS.

• A snide comment on your paper

Side trip - continued

• http://www.indiana.edu/~istd/practice.html

Side trip - continued

• Back to our regularly scheduled programming

• all ready in progress….

At LAST – prewriting is done

• Once you have finished with the note taking and sorting, you are ready to write

• Well, almost…– You might want to look over the information

you have and organize the subjects in a logical manner.

– Each subject should at least be at least a paragraph, and may be more.

• Follow the writing process…..• Prewrite• Write• Revise• Edit• Back up as needed

and then finally:• PUBLISH

Bibliography• “How to Summarize.” Mantex Software. 9/28/06. Mantex Software. 3 Oct. 2006.

<http://www.mantex.co.uk/samples/summary.htm>

• “Instruction for Source Cards/Works Cited Entries.” Research Paper Handbook. 3/25/02. Norwich High School. Oct. 3,2006. <http://members.aol.com/Bradynhs/ResearchPaper/SourceCards.html>

• Research and Report Writing Guide: High School. Glenco McGraw-Hill. New York City, NY. 2001.

• “Guide for Note Taking.” Research Paper Handbook. 3/25/02. Norwich High School. 3 Oct. 2006.

<http://members.aol.com/Bradynhs/ResearchPaper/NoteCard.html#Instructions >

• Null, K.C. How to Write a Research Report. Thomson-Wadsworth. Westminster, CA. 1998.

• Schwatrz, K.L. “Scheduling Your Project” A+ Research and Writing: Step by Step. 1995-2005. Teen Space. 29 Sept. 2006.

<http://www.ipl.org/div/aplus/stepfirst.htm>

Bibliography• Senn, J.A. and C.A. Skinner. “Process of Writing Research Reports.” English:

Communication Skills in the New Millennium. Austin, TX. 2001.

• Student Judicial Affairs. “Avoiding PLAGIARISM: Mastering the Art of Scholarship” UC Davis. 09/2006. UC Davis, Div. of Student Affairs, Office of Student

Judicial Affairs. 3 Oct. 2006. <http://sja.ucdavis.edu/files/plagiarism.pd>

• “Style Manuals & Writing Guides.” CSULA Library. 7/12/2006. California State University at Los Angles. 29 Sept. 2006. <http://www.calstatela.edu/library/styleman.htm>

• “U.Va. plagiarism scandal ends with 45 dismissals” CNN.com/Education. Tuesday, November 26, 2002 Posted: 8:20 AM EST (1320 GMT) CNN. 3 Oct.2006.

<http://archives.cnn.com/2002/EDUCATION/11/26/uva.plagiarism.ap/index.htm l>

• Winkler, A. & J.R. McCuen. Writing the Research Paper: A Handbook. Boston, MA. 2003.

• “Word Count.” Wikipedia. 9/14/2006. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 29 Sept. 2006. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_count>

• Barr, Glenn. “Editor caught plagiarizing .”

The Alpenhorn News. Crestline, CA . Sept. 18,2007. http://www.alpenhornnews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=516.

• School of Education. “How to Recognize Plagiarism.” Indiana University at Bloomingtom. 2005.http://www.indiana.edu/~istd/test.html. Nov.

26, 2007.

Picture sources• Foot Print www.pbase.com/sigita_june/image/51010052

• Smiley Face: http://www.clipart-graphics.net

• Book: http://www.clipart-graphics.net

• Sewing Machine: http://www.sewingmachines.us/bernina.jpg

• Pattern: http://images.patternreview.com/sewing/patterns/kwiksew/2819/2819.jpg

• Cloth: http://www.ams.org/mathmedia/images/md-200602-cloth.jpg

• World book: http://libteach.lins.fju.edu.tw/class/img/pic/worldbook.jpg

• Google logo: http://www.google.com

• Ask.com logo: http://www.ask.com

• Halberds: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Hallebardes-p1000544.jpg

• Swords: http://www.a2armory.com/famsworfromh.html

• Flail: http://www.a2armory.com/spiked-flail.htm

• Mace: http://www.a2armory.com/flangemace.htm

• Mangonel: http://www.redstoneprojects.com/trebuchetstore/mangonel_plans_1_1.html

Picture sources• Ballista: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.legionsix.org/ballista%2520089.jpg&imgrefurl=http://

www.legionsix.org/gallery10.htm&h=668&w=800&sz=279&hl=en&start=26&tbnid=OH_-VGlf8_lfjM:&tbnh=119&tbnw=143&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dballista%26start%3D20%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN&safe=on

• Battering Ram: www.google.com/images

• Trebuchet: http://www.redstoneprojects.com/trebuchetstore/trebuchet_page.html

• Source cards: http://members.aol.com/Bradynhs/ResearchPaper/SourceCards.html

• Note cards: http://members.aol.com/Bradynhs/ResearchPaper/NoteCard.html

• Table of Contents: www.comfortofhome.com/bk/samples.php

• Index: www.comfortofhome.com/bk/samples.php

• Parent magazine cover: http://www.magazines.com/magcom/covers/0/06/059/0060597.jpg

• Karate Magazine cover: http://www.cfwenterprises.com/assets/images/site/cfw/MAP_COVER_092003.JPG

• Chemical Engineer Magazine cover: http://www.che.com/images/CEthisIssue.jpg

• Purdue Logo: http://www.purdue.edu/

• DOD Logo: http://www.defenselink.mil/

Picture sources• Linux Logo: http://www.linux.org/

• White House Logo: http://www.whitehouse.gov/

• Möbius Strip: http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi1919.htm