Research Paper


Learning Outcomes

This assignment is designed to address Written Communication learning outcomes. These specific outcomes are incorporated into the grading rubrics for the papers.

If you wish, you may click HERE to download the American Association of Colleges and Universities VALUE rubric on Written Communication
If you wish, you may click HERE to download the American Association of Colleges and Universities VALUE rubric on Information Literacy


Online Writing Resources

The Department of Social Sciences has developed web based resources for writing called "Writing Across the Social Sciences."

In these pages you will find resources pertaining to topics such as:

  • Writing research papers
  • Using the web for your research
  • Finding peer-reviewed articles
  • Avoiding plagiarism
  • APA writing style

Writing Across the Social Sciences web-based Writing Resources


Steps in the Process

Through the class schedule you are going to engage in a number of graded and ungraded activities that will lead you through the process of developing a quality research project. These steps are outlined in the Course Navigator. Descriptions of each step are also included as links in this secion of the course.

The steps in the Research Project process are:

  1. Complete a Research Project Proposal Quiz
  2. Submit your Outline and Annotated Bibliography
  3. Submit your Final Research Paper

Scroll down to review the details of each step in the process.


Step 1: RP Proposal

Research can be very lengthy, time consuming and frustrating if the topic is too broad but it can be very satisfying and stimulating if there is a clear question. Remember: you are not writing a dissertation here. This is an exercise to further wet your interest in the field of psychology. Please focus on a specific question that is narrow in scope (e.g. What does the research say about EMDR? would be too broad. A better question is: Does EMDR work in children with trauma?).

It is important to have a very focused research question because it will lead you toward identifying specific search terms that you will use in your web and peer reviewed article research. In this example, rather than simply search "EMDR," your search would be modified by adding the terms "effectiveness,", "children," "trauma," etc. This will result in better search results and a more efficient process.

Be sure to review the "Developing Good Research Questions" page in the Writing Across the Social Sciences

Answer the following questions about your proposed RP project. This quiz will remain open indefinitely so you can update it as changes happen. Each time it is graded, comments and advice will be provided. Be sure to check the feedback on the quiz regardless of your grade. You must score a 100 on this quiz in order to have an "approved" RP project. You can take it as many times as you like.

These are the questions:

  1. Write out the research question that you are proposing to answer with your paper (remember, it has to be in the form of a question and you will be evaluated primarily on how well you answer this question).
  2. Write a brief essay as to why you want to answer this particular question.

For assistance in coming up with good research questions refer to the Writing Across the Social Sciences web pages.

Project Proposal Grading Rubric
The research question is clear and specific. The question can be adequately addressed given the length of the paper (as determined by your instructor). There is a clear plan or direction for obtaining the research.
100 pts
The research question is vague or lacks specificity. The question may not be answered given the length due to (a) generality of question or (b) question is too narrow. Plan to obtain research is lacking.
<100 pts

Step 2: RP Outline and Annotated Bibliography

The Outline and Annotated Bibliography of your final paper should identify major components of your paper as you plan to arrange them in the paper itself. Please read the details in this step very carefully as there are very important things that you need to keep track of while you are conducting your research that you will need to include in the Outline and Annotated Bibliography.

Be mindful of the following points:

  • Most of the WORK involved in the writing of your Research Paper will be in the preparation of THIS Outline and Annotated Bibliography. Once you are done this paper, writing the final paper is easy.
  • Your research question needs to focus on "What does the professional literature say about..." This is not a paper where you are trying to prove a point or support your own opinions...it is a paper that explores what the professionals in the related field are saying about the question.
  • Your evidence MUST arise from "Peer Reviewed Resources" ONLY! You cannot substantiate your paper with sources from websites, the textbook, interviews, or personal experiences. Remember, your goal is to REPORT what the LITERATURE in the field is saying about your question.
  • Peer Reviewed Resources can be most easily found using online databases such as EBSCO available through the library
  • The Annotated Bibliography is formatted by first providing an APA citation of the article and then below that providing a paragraph describing the article according the criteria in the grading rubric below.
  • Professionally formatted documents are expected in academics.
Outline Grading Rubric

Title Page

As it would appear in the Final Draft of the Research Paper (formatted to APA standard as described in the Writing Across the Social Sciences site).

5 pts

Outline Elements

Your outline should contain indicators of the following elements:

  • General information which sets the stage for the thesis
  • Your Thesis Statement
  • For each element of information you are presenting you should include an outline of:
    • The factual claim
    • Supporting information
    • Sources
  • Conclusions and applications of the reseach (answering the question)
  • Generalization of the answer (stating why the answer is important)
60 pts

Annotated Bibliography

Format a reference page (or pages) according to APA criteria.

  • This page is titled "Annotated Bibliography", not "Works Cited", or "References", etc.
  • Use the Writing Across the Social Sciences site to learn how to format your references according to APA standards.
  • Write a paragraph which states
    • How you found the article (include search terms you used and your research methods - including web searches and searches within the online journal databases)
    • How you know that the information in this article is reliable
    • How you will use the given article in your paper.
20 pts

Mechanics and Quality

Grammar, spelling, organization, and clarity are essentially error free and the paper exhibits a smooth, cohesive flow of ideas.

15 pts


Step 3: Final Paper Submission

Below that is a rubric that will be used by faculty to grade your paper. Be sure to refer to BOTH the outline and the rubric when you are writing your paper to ensure that you cover all that is needed in this paper.

The paper, however, should flow...it should be written to meet each of these criteria, but in a way that is not "wooden" or difficult to read...ultimately the paper is an essay, and should read easily.

Write in your natural, professional language...if you engage in writing that focuses on trying to "impress" with "big words" it will not come across natural.

Be sure to use the Writing Tools and review the Basic Writing Skills, Writing Essays, and Writing Research Papers pages

The following is both a graphic representation of your entire paper, and an excellent guide to your writing:

Research Paper Grading Rubric

Title Page

Title page includes the thesis question as the title, student's name, class, date, and instructor's name. Running head is accurate.

5

Introduction

Introduction is clear and adequately outlines the thesis question, context, audience, and/or purpose of the paper. Moves from general statements and brings the reader to the thesis question.

20 pt

Body and Literature

Paper includes at least 3 peer reviewed and relevant resources and adequately references these in both in-text citations and the references page. The research is well incorporated and supports the thesis and arguments in the paper.

20 pts

Conclusions

Conclusions tie together the thesis question and the data and make a direct connection between the data collected and the "answer to the question".

20 pts

References and APA Style

In-text citations and reference page are accurately included with little to no deviance form APA format expectations.

20 pts

Mechanics and Quality

Grammar, spelling, organization, and clarity are essentially error free and the paper exhibits a smooth, cohesive flow of ideas.

15 pts