EDUC 1150
Research Paper Outline (WORTH 20%)
Academic research and writing are amongst the most challenging and important tasks faced by post-secondary students. The ability to locate quality research and discern and clearly communicate the value of that research to others is a distinguishing feature of the truly educated, critical thinker. While many students think their research and writing abilities are strong, the standards in post-secondary are often very different than those required in high school or the workplace. Moreover, no matter who you are (elementary school student to university professor) and no matter what your current abilities, your writing and analytical skills can always be improved.
The purpose of this assignment is to:
1) explore an issue of relevance to contemporary higher education in depth,
2) learn how to analyze and assess the merits of ideas in scholarly papers and other forms of research (e.g., government or business reports; scholarly books),
3) learn to cite and acknowledge the scholarly sources on which your analyses are grounded appropriately using APA format and,
4) introduce you to standards of post-secondary scholarly work by presenting logical, well-structured analyses in a concise research paper outline format.
Requirements:
This assignment is independent. However, it will be done in conjunction with your group project.
1. Find at least 2 peer-reviewed academic sources that pertain to your specific “group research question”.
2. Prepare a research paper outline and reference list in APA style. Length: 1 -1.5 page double-spaced (12 font, Times, Times New Roman, or Arial) plus 1-page reference list.
How to Develop A Research Paper Outline
For this assignment your task is to find a topic that is:
THUS: A paper outline that discussed the physical, emotional, and mental effects of marijuana would not meet the first criteria as it would be descriptive only, with little to debate. A paper outline that discussed whether hockey players who are found to have used steroid should be removed from the NHL Hall of Fame would not meet the second criteria, as there is no academic literature on this topic.
IN ADDITION: Ensure you avoid ethical (“should”) questions such as “should abortion be legal/illegal? Should stem cell research be legal?, etc” for three reasons:
Outline:
Using the following format, provide a hard copy of your thesis statement, outline, and reference list. The outline should be in point form OR short sentences EXCEPT your Introduction and thesis statement (which must be written out in proper sentence format).
Submission: Hand in a hard copy of your assignment (see Requirements above) at the start of class on the due date and submit electronic links of your articles to moodle titled “Contemporary Views: Scholarly Sources”.
Resource Links:
KPU Library link for general help in academic writing (thesis statements, citations, writing papers, avoiding plagiarism etc.):
http://libguides.kpu.ca/c.php?g=183909&p=1212998
Sources on how to write a thesis statement and research paper components:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/1/
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/588/01/ ***
http://www.indiana.edu/%7Ewts/pamphlets/thesis_statement.shtml
http://english.ttu.edu/Kairos/3.1/news/paradigm/thesfrms.htm
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/01/