Research Paper

The Research Paper identifies a coherent research question within a defined subject, forwards a thesis that addresses it, and provides associated results and discussion. It will build on the project tasks you have previously undertaken (Preliminary Research, Literature Review, 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.) It should be approximately 2,000 words (not including bibliographical content) and reflect the citation system of a publication venue you choose. Your Research Paper should include the following elements in IMRaD sequence:

1. Introduction: Orients your reader to the subject, surveys relevant literature to identify a knowledge gap (drawing from Literature Review), identifies the research question that the paper investigates, and forwards the thesis that provides a response to it
2. Methods (based on Method Design): Articulates the methods the paper uses to address its research question, attending to both practical and theoretical issues
3. Results: Presents what you discovered by applying your methods to your research question
4. Discussion: Interprets what the results reveal
5. Conclusion: Discusses how the paper contributes to its subject's research discourse 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 Literature Review.