This Week’s Agenda
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Types of Research Papers
Types of Research studies
What is Research Proposal?
Assignment 1 (5% of grade)
Types of Research Paper
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In academic writing, a research paper is a logical, welldeveloped, persuasive answer to a research question.
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Research paper does not just present your research as a list of
facts or as a summary of sources.
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Your paper is based on YOUR OWN ideas. It will be a
presentation of your own opinion and/or analysis of a topic
supported by evidence from your sources and sound reasoning.
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You may already know your opinion, and if you don't, you
will develop one as you research.
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There are two basic types of research papers: argumentative
and analytical.
Types of Research Paper…Cont’d
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Argumentative paper, or position paper, takes a side on a
debatable issue (it is possible to change someone's mind,
including your own, about the issue). It answers a “yes/no”
research question. The paper argues for your own position
using strong arguments supported by logic and evidence from
knowledgeable sources.
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Analytical paper also argues for your opinion, but it answers
a “why/how” question. It usually examines the causes, effects,
or solutions of something. You will research answers to the
question and then describe, explain, and evaluate them. Your
paper will look deeply at each, rank them, and argue for the
most significant ones.
Types of Research Studies-2 Main Types
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1. Qualitative approach: involves the collection of extensive
narrative (non-numerical) data in order to gain insights into
phenomena of interest, data analysis includes the coding of the
data and production of a verbal synthesis.
It can involve past or current events.
Simply put, it investigates the why dna how ot derapmoc sa ,
what ,where dna ,when .hcraeser evitatitnauq fo
Qualitative researchers typically rely on the following methods
for gathering information: ( tcerid )2) ,yduts esac ) 1
fo sisylana )4) dna ,sweivretni htped ni )3) ,noitavresbo
.slairetam dna stnemucod
Examples :
-In-depth understanding/observation of certain human
behavior and the reasons that govern human behavior.
-A multi-case study of students who excel despite nonfacilitating environments.
-Effects of decisions of the United States Supreme Court on
American Education.
2. Quantitative Approach
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Quantitative approach: The quantitative approaches involve
the collection of numerical data in order to explain, predict,
and/or control phenomena of interest, data analysis is mainly
statistical.
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Quantative researchers typically rely on the following methods
for gathering numerical information: ( )2) ,seriannoitseuQ )1
noitavresbo tcerid )4) dna ,sweivretnI )3) ,syevrus
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Examples of quantitative research
Research that consists of the percentage amounts of all the elements
that make up Earth's atmosphere
 Survey that concludes that the average patient has to wait two hours in
the waiting room of a certain doctor before being selected .
 An experiment in which group x was given two tablets of Aspirin a day
and Group y was given two tablets of a placebo a day where each
participant is randomly assigned to one or other of the groups .
The numerical factors such as two tablets, percent of elements and the
time of waiting make the situations and results quantitative.
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What is a Prospectus/Proposal?
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A prospectus is a proposal to undertake a
research project = a research plan.
A prospectus is a statement that briefly
describes the questions, materials, and
methods a researcher will use in his or her
research.
A prospectus is a preliminary statement for a
paper.
Elements of a Research Proposal
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1. Introduction: A prospectus contains a clear, concise
introduction to the topic of the research- Brief background
about your topic.
2. Research Questions: A prospectus states the main
research questions that the researcher wishes to answerWhat are the questions that your research would answer?
Develop several questions related to your topic, and then
choose one that best fits the goals of your final paper.
Once you've chosen a general research question, it is a good
idea to think about the more specific issues you'll have to
examine in order to answer your general question.
Taking time to develop your questions will help you be
more efficient in your research since it will help you decide
which of the many available sources will be worth your time
and energy. It can also help you determine fairly specific
key words to use in your library, database, and internet
searches, so you won't have to sort through thousands of
possible articles, books, and web sites
Elements of a Research Proposal…Cont’d
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3. Tentative Thesis/Hypothesis = A statement predicting the
outcome of a study = The hypothesis is a refinement of the
research problem.
-The thesis is just the answer to the question. Good thesis
come from good questions, poor thesis come from unclear
questions.
-What are your specific points about your topic?
-Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover
only what you will discuss in your paper
-Make sure your thesis is in the form of a statement, not a
question.
-Make sure your thesis expresses your true opinion and not an
exaggerated version of it.
Elements of a Research Proposal…Cont’d
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4. Research Importance = the importance of your particular
research and its benefit. State why this subject is worthy of
investigation.
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5. Methodology: the method which you will use collect data and
info about your research. It should outline the methods you will use
to answer your questions (how you will collect data and/or
information and how you will analyze it).
-For the field study, provide a questionnaire/survey/interview
questions/observation questions.
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6. Important Definitions: Provide definitions for key words.
7. Preliminary Bibliography: the types of materials/references the
researcher plans to examine and study.
-List 10 references that are relevant to your research project.
-Arrange them alphabetically.
-(NOTE: This might not be a complete list of all sources that are
finally used in the research, but should indicate the research
direction and the types of materials/sources you plan to examine and
study.)
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In what style should a prospectus be
written?
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A formal style generally is preferred.
Since the prospectus can not present the researcher's
conclusion, i.e., the research has yet to be done, write
the prospectus in the third person.
Use active voice verbs and a writer's voice that
demonstrates confidence that the research has merit.
A prospectus that "sounds" dubious or not well
considered typically indicates that the research
project is dubious and not well considered.
To whom is a prospectus written?
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The audience for the prospectus is the reader
who will determine whether or not the research
project should be undertaken. In this case the
readers will be the instructor.