WRITING RESEARCH PAPERS WHAT IS A RESEARCH PAPER

WRITING RESEARCH PAPERS

WHAT IS A RESEARCH PAPER? A research paper is a form of academic writing in which students are required to locate information on a given topic, that is, to conduct research, take a stand on that topic, and provide support (or evidence) for that position in an organized report.

RESEARCH PAPER: What it is NOT. • It is not simply an informed summary of a topic. • It is neither a book report nor an opinion piece nor an expository essay consisting of one's interpretation of a text. Instead, it requires one to spend time investigating and evaluating sources with the intent to offer interpretations of the texts.

RESEARCH PAPER Regardless of the type of research paper you are writing, your finished research paper should present your own thinking backed up by others' ideas and information.

TYPES OF RESEARCH PAPERS

TYPES OF RESEARCH PAPERS Sometimes, the same topic can be approached from different perspectives. Your thesis statement is the one in charge of determining the type of research paper you are going to write.

TYPES OF RESEARCH PAPERS 1. Definition Research Paper It requires research using primary and secondary sources to develop a thesis and present a topic. It is said to be easier to write because it is fact-based and more of a presentation of information, that leads to draw conclusions.

TYPES OF RESEARCH PAPERS What does ‘being competent’ in a second language mean?

TYPES OF RESEARCH PAPERS 2. Argumentative research paper This is a good structure for writers presenting a debated topic. 1. Explain the two popular, but opposite, opinions on the issue. 2. Use research to persuade the reader to one side of the issue.

TYPES OF RESEARCH PAPERS FEATURES • You clearly state your argument or stance in thesis statement. • You introduce the topic sufficiently before taking a stance. • You use credible sources to back up your position and include information about the opposing view. • You use critical evaluation to create a logical argument.

TYPES OF RESEARCH PAPERS Example: Task-based instruction as an alternative to the traditional teacher-centered classroom to foster speaking. Why are bilingualism policies unrealistic in Colombian public schools?

TYPES OF RESEARCH PAPERS The topic for an argumentative paper must be debatable and it is often controversial. Read the following examples of arguments, and decide if they are debatable: • Body piercing is popular among the youth of today. • There a lot of benefits to using computers in grade school. • There are some negative and positive aspects to lowering the drinking age.

TYPES OF RESEARCH PAPERS If you guessed they are not debatable, you are right. How can you reword each one to make it an argumentative thesis statement?

TYPES OF RESEARCH PAPERS 3. Analytical research paper: The analytical research paper often begins with the student asking a question (a. k. a. a research question) on which he has taken NO stance. The goal of this paper is to present a variety of view-points on a subject without forming an opinion. The writer is simply providing readers with as much information as possible, but allowing them to draw their own conclusions.

TYPES OF RESEARCH PAPERS • The question is neutral and provides direction for you to evaluate and explore the topic as it relates to answering the question. Your thesis statement presents the research question, and the rest of your paper supports your thesis. • This type of research paper is not a simple regurgitation of information. Instead, it is your thoughts, conclusions and evaluations of a topic that is backed up with logical information.

TYPES OF RESEARCH PAPERS Example: • Is childhood obesity the result of environmental factors, socio-economic factors, or genetics? Though this topic may be debatable, it is not the writer's intent to persuade the audience that his ideas are right while those of others are wrong. Instead, the goal is to offer a critical interpretation of primary and secondary sources throughout the paper.

TYPES OF RESEARCH PAPERS 4. Cause and Effect These papers guide the reader through a series of “chain of event” scenarios. Data will be provided to increase the validity of the statement that choosing A will cause B and so forth. Evidence!

TYPES OF RESEARCH PAPERS Example: Using audio books to improve listening and pronunciation. = or as a question Implementing jig-saw activities to lower students’ anxiety.

TYPES OF RESEARCH PAPERS 5. Compare and Contrast This type of paper is used to compare two different subjects and how they relate to one another in both similarities and differences. This is often a format chosen in English courses to compare two or more literary pieces. The goal is not to persuade the reader, but to enlighten them toward the philosophical distinctions between varying viewpoints of related topics or genres.

ASIGNMENT 2: • Now that we know that as teachers, researchers and scholars we will be constantly in touch with research papers, it is time to start thinking about how to write the first one. Today we focused on learning about the types of research papers we can find and on deciding which type is more suitable for us. • Your tasks today are the following: • 1. In groups of 3 or 4 create some possible topics for 4 types. • 2. Be ready to report your answers to the class.