how to Write research paper

1. WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER:
AN INTRODUCTION
Presented by
Pema Yangchen Ed. D.
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2. Source for this presentation
Unless indicated, the primary source
for the following presentation is
Cambridge Rindge and Latin
Research Guide which can be found
at http://www.crlsresearchguide.org
The handouts and activities too have
been either taken or adapted from the
same source.
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3. What is Research?
Research is the systematic process
of collecting and analyzing
information to increase our
understanding of the phenomenon
under study. It is the function of the
researcher to contribute to the
understanding of the phenomenon
and to communicate that
understanding to others.
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4. What is Research? Continued
Writing a research paper involves:
1. Familiarizing yourself with the works of
"experts"--for example, on the page, in
cyberspace, or in the flesh through
personal interviews--to build upon what you
know about a subject.
2. Comparing their thoughts on the topic
with your own.
Source:
(http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/Researc
hW/what.html)
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5. Types of Educational Research
Quantitative Research follows a deductive
research process and involves the collection
and analysis of quantitative (i.e., numerical)
data to identify statistical relations of
variables.
Qualitative Research follows an inductive
process and involves the collection and
analysis of qualitative (i.e., non-numerical)
data to search for patterns, themes, and
holistic features.
Mixed research combines or mixes
quantitative and qualitative research
techniques in a single study. 5

6. Types of Research Paper
Analytical papers uses evidence to
analyze facets of an issue.
Argumentative papers uses evidence
to attempt to convince the reader of
your particular stance on a debatable
topic.
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7. Tools of Research
Six general tools of research that
researchers use to derive meaning
and draw conclusions from data.
the library and its resources.
the computer and its software.
techniques of measurement.
statistics.
the human mind.
facility with language.
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8. Basic Steps in the Research Process
1. Select a general topic that interests you in
some way.
2. List key words to help you look up
information about the topic.
3. Go to an encyclopedia, or other reference
source, to get an overview of the topic.
4. Make source cards for whatever sources
you will use for information.
5. Using the general overview, begin to
focus the topic into something you can
cover well.
6. Write a statement of purpose about the
focused topic.
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9. Basic Steps Continued
7. Brainstorm questions about the focused
topic.
8. Group questions under similar headings.
9. Add any new questions you can think of
under those headings.
10. Repeat step 2, listing more key words
from your newly focused topic and
questions.
11. Make a list of possible sources that can
answer your questions. Identify the best
sources to use.
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10. Basic Steps Continued
12. Find the sources in the library, on the
computer, etc. Make a source card for
each one you use.
13. Begin making notecards. Use your brain
stormed questions to guide your note
taking.
14. Change your statement of purpose into a
draft thesis statement.
15. Make an outline of your headings. If you
are ready to print your outline, try the
Outline Maker
16. Refocus your thesis statement if
necessary.
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11. Basic Steps Continued
17. Write the body of your paper from your
notes.
18. Cite any necessary information with
parenthetical citations.
19. Write your introduction and conclusion.
20. Write your Works Cited (it is similar to a
bibliography).
21. Create a title page.
22. Evaluate your work.
23. Turn in your paper on time.
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12. Selecting a Research Topic
Three ways for you to get a topic to
research:
1. Your teacher assigns one to you.
2. Your teacher gives you some
guidelines for choosing one.
3. Your teacher gives you complete
freedom to choose whatever topic
you want.
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13. Listing Key Words
1. Write one or two sentences about your
topic.
2. Underline all of the specific words that
describe your topic.
3. Make a separate list of these specific words.
4. Add to your list any other words that mean
the same thing (synonyms) or are related
terms.
5. Think of more words or phrases that
describe the larger topic, of which your topic
is a part. Add those to the list.
6. Think of more words or phrases that are
subtopics of your topic which might help you
find useful information. Add those to the list.
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14. Getting an Overview
It should answer the questions; "who",
"what", “when”, and "where", and only briefly
some of the "why" and "how" questions.
It will help you to:
- get a general understanding of your topic.
- begin to know what kinds of subtopics are
within the general topic.
- begin to ask some questions that you will
answer later in the research process.
- begin to focus your topic into one you can
handle in your project.
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15. Making Source Cards
They will help you to:
identify the sources of quotations and
ideas for citing your sources later (giving
credit to your sources).
find sources again if you need them.
make your works cited/references (a list of
the sources from which you used borrowed
material in your project).
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16. An Example
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17. Focus the Topic
The Encyclopedia Method
- Use an encyclopedia article to provide
you with the information you need to focus
your topic.
The Subtopic Method
- You decide on a certain general subtopic
word by which to focus your topic.
The Question Method
- You will need to have a fairly good
overview of your topic already to develop a
question.
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18. Writing a Statement of Purpose
A Statement of Purpose is a sentence
that you write, which states, in some
detail, what you want to learn about in
your research project.
The statement guides you as you work
so that you will read and take notes only
on what's needed for your project.
It will help you develop a Thesis
Statement, which comes later on in the
research process.
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19. How to Write a Statement of Purpose
To write the sentence, first answer these
questions for yourself as best as you can:
1. What is my real personal interest in the topic?
2. What do I specifically want to learn about my
topic?
Start your Statement of Purpose with words like
"I want to learn about..."
For example:
I want to learn about what is being done by our
government to stop air pollution.
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20. Brainstorming Questions
It is the process of thinking up and writing
down a set of questions that you want to
answer about the research topic you
have selected.
Involves making two lists of questions
1. Asking Factual Questions
2. Asking Interpretive Questions
a. Hypothetical
b. Prediction
c. Solution
d. Comparison or analogy
e. Judgement
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21. Grouping Questions
Look over the questions you brain stormed.
Decide on some words or phrases that are
common to groups of questions.
Turn those words or phrases into specific
subtopic headings.
Write each subtopic heading and rewrite
under it the questions that go with it.
Now add any other new questions that
come to mind under any of the headings.
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22. Making Notecards: An Example
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23. Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is a strong statement
that you can prove with evidence. It is not a
simple statement of fact. A thesis
statement should be the product of your
own critical thinking after you have done
some research. Your thesis statement will
be the main idea of your entire project. It
can also be thought of as the angle or point
of view from which you present your
material.
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24. Drafting a Thesis Statement
Look again at your Statement of Purpose
Look at the kinds of information you have
been finding while taking notes.
Decide what kind of statement you have
enough evidence to prove.
(Be sure that you have done enough
research to make a strong argument. You
may be challenged.)
Write that as your thesis statement.
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25. Making an Outline
An outline is an abbreviated picture of the
parts of your paper or project and the order
in which they will come. You can think of it
as a "road map" of your journey toward
making a final product.
Figure out the most logical flow of
information, the best order for the
information to be in, using the subtopics
you created earlier.
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26. Writing the Body of the Paper
Use your outline and your notecards.
Write your first paragraph about the first subtopic
in your outline. Introduce that subtopic in the first
sentence.
The body of that paragraph will be more
information about the first subtopic and your
evidence for why it supports your thesis statement.
Use your note cards to get borrowed material
(quotes, statistics, etc) to use as evidence.
You must cite all borrowed material immediately
after you use it.
Continue in this manner until you reach the
conclusion section of your outline.
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27. Citing Sources: Parenthetical
Documentation
It lets your reader know that you want to
make clear to them which are your
ideas/words/pictures, etc. and which are
someone else's.
Avoids PLAGIARISM (Plagiarism is an
unlawful act in which you use someone
else's work as if it is your own.)
It gives your Thesis Statement a lot more
credibility.
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28. Writing Introduction and Conclusion
Introduction:
1. A general introduction to the topic
you will be discussing
2. Your Thesis Statement
Conclusion:
1. You restate your thesis.
2. Summarize your main points of
evidence for the reader.
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29. Making a Works Cited
An alphabetical list of the sources
(also called "works") you used in the
body of your project.
It should be the last page in your
project.
Irrespective of whether you use a
complete piece of someone else's
material or only a recognizable part of
that material, you must cite your
sources to avoid Plagiarism.
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30. Research Ethics: Some Ethical
Principals
Honesty Responsible Mentoring
Objectivity Respect for colleagues
Integrity Social Responsibility
Carefulness Non-Discrimination
Openness Competence
Respect for Legality
Intellectual Property Animal Care
Confidentiality Human Subjects
Responsible Protection
Publication
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31. THANK YOU
GOOD LUCK!
Have Questions?
Email: pemayang@yahoo.com
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