Research Paper

The Research Paper identifies a coherent research question, forwards a thesis that addresses it, and provides supporting findings and interpretation. It will build on the research tasks you have previously undertaken (Preliminary Research, Annotated Bibliography, and Method Design).

Your Research Paper should include at least four scholarly sources. (Additional sources, including popular ones, may be appropriate, but at least four scholarly sources are required.) The document should be approximately 2,000 words (not including bibliographical content) and reflect the citation system of your chosen publication venue. Your Research Paper should include the following elements in sequence:

1. Introduction: Orients your reader to the subject, identifies the research question that the paper investigates, and forwards the thesis that provides a response to it
2. Literature Review (based on Annotated Bibliography): Discusses the relevant extant research on the paper's topic and identifies how the current study fits into this ongoing discourse
3. Methodology (based on Method Design): Articulates the methods the paper uses to address its research question, attending to both practical and theoretical issues
4. Findings: Presents what you discovered by applying your methods to your research question and interprets what these data reveal
5. Conclusion: Discusses how the paper contributes to the particular research discourse around its subject and outlines where future studies could go from here

The Research Paper will be uploaded as a file. You should use existing authentic examples of academic scholarship as models, such as those you have identified in your Annotated Bibliography and the articles listed in our shared resources.