How to Write a Research Paper

1. How to Write a Research Paper Choosing A Topic It must be related to the fields of Health, Exercise, and Sport Science It should be of interest to you, preferably in an area that you would like to learn more about. It should provide you with an opportunity to explore, do original thinking, and make judgments.

2. How to Write a Research Paper Choosing A Topic It needs to be fairly easy to research and write about. It needs to be something you know enough about to write about comfortably. It needs to not be too broad (i.e. too large of a topic to cover in detail within the page length limits). It needs to not be too narrow (i.e. too small of a topic to fill up enough pages for the assignment).

3. How to Write a Research Paper Choosing A Topic Brainstorm topic ideas 1 If you have trouble thinking up creative topics to write about (and most people do), start simple. Take out a piece of paper or open a new document on your computer, and start writing down whatever ideas come into your head.

4. How to Write a Research Paper Choosing A Topic Brainstorm topic ideas 1 Here are some questions you might ask yourself: What am I interested in ? What do I like to do for fun that might translate into an interesting paper topic? What do I feel strongly about? What do I know a lot about?

5. How to Write a Research Paper Choosing A Topic Brainstorm topic ideas 1 What would I like to know more about? What are some issues or topics that are in the news right now that I find interesting and important? Can my friends or family members offer me suggestions for topics that I find interesting and important?

6. How to Write a Research Paper Researching A Topic and Selecting Scientific Sources Use the Daniel Library on Campus and Perform a Search of Your Selected Topic Search Engines that are specifically designed to target research sources in HESS are available. General Assistance in Search Practices are also available.

7. How to Write a Research Paper Writing a Title Read about your subject and do some preliminary writing. It is very difficult to sum up what the paper is all about unless you've spent some time with it.

8. How to Write a Research Paper Writing a Title Think about your audience (who will be reading your paper) when deciding on a title. What will attract the audience to your paper? Your title may change depending on the audience.

9. How to Write a Research Paper Writing a Title Your title should relate to your topic. Don't use many words. If you can sum up your topic in 4 words as opposed to 6, pick the 4 word option. Use the process of reduction. (example)

10. How to Write a Research Paper Managing Sources Read article abstracts before deciding to use an article as a source Record the bibliography entry on your sources (author, title, journal, etc) Order or download your sources If possible scan your articles, or acquire them in electronic format. This will make it easier for you to become a “mobile” writer.

11. How to Write a Research Paper Managing Sources Record the bibliography entry on your sources into a data management tool such as Excel or Database. This will allow you to alphabetize and sort your articles on topical areas. Keep all of your paper articles in a single file folder or notebook

12. How to Write a Research Paper Managing Sources Your Responsibilities You will need to have at least 10, and no more than 20 sources for your research paper. All of your sources must come from scientific journals. No other sources are allowed, including web site sources.

13. How to Write a Research Paper Preparing the Bibliography 2 Basic rules All entries are listed in alphabetical order of the first author's last name; Number each entry If the same author(s) are cited for more than one paper, the papers should be listed in chronological sequence by year of publication.

14. How to Write a Research Paper Preparing the Bibliography 2 Journal Article: Single author Bugjuice, B. 1970. Physiological effects of estrogen on mouse courtship behavior. J Physiol 40(2):140-145. In the citation of Bugjuice's paper, note the following: abbreviation of her first name; no comma (if full name is given, then use a comma); if multiple authors, use commas between; capitalization of the words in the title is just as though it were a sentence;

15. How to Write a Research Paper Preparing the Bibliography 2 Journal Article: Single author (continued) 1. Bugjuice, B. 1970. Physiological effects of estrogen on mouse courtship behavior. J Physiol 40(2):140-145. abbreviation of the journal name; usually the header on the article will list the appropriate abbreviation for the journal; no periods in abbreviated form of journal name; "40" is the volume number "(2)" is the number of the issue; if no issue is given, the colon follows the volume number; "140-145" is the inclusive page numbers of the article; placement of periods is standard;

16. How to Write a Research Paper Preparing the Bibliography 2 Journal: Two authors 1. Bugjuice, B. and T. Timm. 1989. The role of whisker length in mouse nose-twitch courtship behavior. J Physiol 61(3):113-118. Journal: Multiple authors 1. Bugjuice, B., Cratchet, R., and T. Timm. 1990. The role of estrogen in mouse courtship behavior changes as mice age. J Physiol 62(6):1130-1142.

17. How to Write a Research Paper Preparing the Bibliography 2 Journal: Multiple Authors (More than 4) 1. Bugjuice, B. T. Timm, A. Watts, G. Briggs, et al., 1989. The role of whisker length in mouse nose-twitch courtship behavior. J Physiol 61(3):113-118. * et al.means “and others”. Example of Bibliography Page You will need to have at least 10, and no more than 20 sources listed in your bibliography

18. How to Write a Research Paper Preparing the Paper The Body of your paper will be between 8-10 pages in length. The Body of your paper includes: 1) the Introduction, 2) The Review of Literature, and, 3) The Discussion The Body of your paper will be type written, double spaced, and use a font size that is either a 10 or 12 point font size. No less than 1 inch and no greater than 1.5 inch margins (Top, Bottom, Right, and Left) will be used

19. How to Write a Research Paper Basic Outline Working with your articles Review the information you collected and type phrases/titles that best summarize the material Sort the phrases/titles under Major titles that describe the collection grouped together. Preparing the Paper Type three main sections Place Major Headers then Sub-headers

20. How to Write a Research Paper Basic Outline You should begin by preparing your outline into the three major areas of the paper: The Introduction, The Literature Review, and the Discussion. Within each section you should have general headings, followed by subheadings. Each heading should define the main point of discussion that follows in the text.(see next slide for example)

21. How to Write a Research Paper Preparing A Basic Outline (example) Introduction Muscle Fatigue Literature Review Muscle Physiology Muscle Contractions Role of the Nervous System Role of Ions Calcium Sodium Muscle Dysfunction Muscle Repair etc…,

22. How to Write a Research Paper Preparing A Detailed Outline Here we will look at the previous outline and turn it into a detailed outline. In the detailed outline, you will write a sentence or clause to indicate what information will go in each section of the outline (below is a section of the previous outline) Literature Review Muscle Physiology Muscle Contractions Role of the Nervous System Role of Ions Calcium Sodium

23. How to Write a Research Paper Preparing A Detailed Outline Literature Review Muscle Physiology Muscle Contractions (Information that introduces the physiological components of muscle contractions) Role of the Nervous System (Information that defines the anatomy of the nervous system, including the action at the motor end plate) Role of Ions (Information that introduces the importance and function of the ions involved in muscle contractions)

24. How to Write a Research Paper Constructing Paragraphs Once you have constructed your outline, then you can begin constructing sentences within the sections of the outline. The first sentence should convey the principle thought you would like to further define. The second sentence should make a major point in defining the principle. The remainder of the sentences supply support information.

25. How to Write a Research Paper Constructing Paragraphs Example: Calcium is one of the major ions required for muscle contractions. Calcium must be present for actin and myosin to engage. When actin and myosin are engaged, the fiber will contract and shorten. When calcium is absent, actin and myosin will disengage and the fiber will rest and lengthen.

26. How to Write a Research Paper Constructing Paragraphs Notice in the example how comparison and contrast were used to make a relevant point. This practice helps the reader to “solidify” or frame the major thought produced in the first sentence. Each paragraph of your paper should address one major thought

27. How to Write a Research Paper Citations in text You will use the scientific numbering system when citing text references(1). For example, if you typed the statement above in your paper as a reference from the first author in your bibliography, you would list the numbered bibliography reference number in parenthesis.

28. How to Write a Research Paper Citations in text You will use the scientific numbering system when citing text references(1,3,4). The references above mean that authors 1,3, and, 4, are all in agreement with the statement Remember to place all copied statements in quotation marks.

29. How to Write a Research Paper Preparing the Introduction The opening sentences should be statements to establish the context of the work that you will be reporting. This is accomplished by discussing the relevant primary research literature (with citations) and summarizing our current understanding of the problem you are investigating.

30. How to Write a Research Paper Preparing the Introduction The structure of the Introduction can be thought of as an inverted triangle - the broadest part at the top representing the most general information and focusing down to the specific problem you studied. The last two sentences of your introduction should be 1) a clear statement of the problem that you are studying, and 2) the purpose of your research (to address the problem)

31. How to Write a Research Paper Preparing the Literature Review All of the information in the literature review must pertain to the purpose (problem) stated in your paper The information included in the literature review should address the different types of research that has been conducted on you’re the topic that you are addressing. Thus, the literature review will provide a general overview of the type, quantity, and description of the research studies conducted on the topic.

32. How to Write a Research Paper Preparing the Literature Review The literature review should be divided into sections with headings that describe the content that follows in the paragraphs below the heading Headings should be “general” and subheadings should be more specific. Example: Muscle Fiber Type Aerobic Mechanisms

33. How to Write a Research Paper Preparing the Literature Review Headings should not be indented and should be underlined. Subheadings are indented and not underlined (see previous slide) Each General Heading should contain key words that are important in focusing reader on necessary background information needed to understand the topic. For example, if you were writing about a disease, you would want the reader to know about the pathophysiology, etiology, and prognosis of the disease. So each of these terms would be a General Heading.

34. How to Write a Research Paper Preparing the Discussion In the discussion section, you should compile the information from the review of the literature and present it in a fashion that is meaningful in addressing the problem stated in the introduction Thus, summarize the information from the sections of the review of literature into paragraphs that make the information meaningful in addressing the problem i.e. - Most authors (researchers) agree that x = y, OR X does equal Y in 9 of the 10 studies researched, thus it is likely that x = y.

35. How to Write a Research Paper Preparing the Discussion The discussion section must have several paragraphs that address findings from the literature reviewed (Summary of Findings). The discussion section can compare common findings and inconsistencies in the literature The end of the discussion section must deduce some common findings in the literature that address the problem stated in the introduction Thus, the end of the discussion section must bring “closure” to answering the problem that was stated in the introduction.

36. END OF PRESENTATION Sources Cited http://collegeuniversity.suite101.com 2. http://abacus.bates.edu