Writing a research report

1. Writing aresearch report ESL/ALP 108 Integrated Studies

2. The Process • Choose a topic • Gather materials • Narrow the topic • Formulate a research question • Research in-depth • Write the introduction and thesis • Write the body • Write the conclusion • Write the bibliography

3. Choose a topic • Choose a topic in your field of study. Write about something you are interested in to lead you to a question you have about something particular in your field.

4. Gather materials • Once you have chosen a general topic, gather materials (periodicals, scholarly articles, lecture videos, professional articles) to explore information that exists on your topic. • Take notes on the information you find and keep a list of all materials in a ‘dump document’.

5. Narrow your topic • Assume your topic is too broad. When a topic is too broad, it will not allow you to do an in-depth analysis and demonstrate critical thinking. • In graduate writing you need a narrowed topic in order to explore the topic in detail.

6. Formulate a research question • Develop a question or discover a controversy related to your topic to show your perspective. • Your job is to present your own perspective and use the research to support your idea. • This question will be the springboard for the thesis.

7. In-depth research • Search the databases for scholarly and professional articles on your narrowed topic. • You need to collect and refer to a minimum of four articles in your research paper. • You may find the need to narrow your topic even more as you complete your in-depth research. • Write a source list with annotations.

8. Write your introduction • The introduction to your research paper will present the overall topic and your thesis, the key argument you want to prove in your paper. • The introduction can include the following • First, an attention getter on the general topic or an extended definition of the key topic. • Second, the supporting sentences with general background information on the topic • Last, a thesis with the main argument of the paper.

9. The thesis • The thesis is one or two complete sentences at the end of the introduction that express the key argument you will prove in your paper. • The thesis must be • clear and direct - not vague language • a statement that is not posed as a question • in third person only

10. Body paragraphs • The body of the research paper includes three sections. • Literature review – summarize what the current research shows in relation to your topic. • Presentation of your view – explain and develop the support for your ideas on the topic. • Implications/effects of your view – explain the effects/results and the importance of your idea.

11. Conclusion • The conclusion is your last effort to convince the reader that your idea is valid. • Write strong, direct sentences that give the main points of your paper and propose what may happen in the future. • Do not give new points in the conclusion. • Do not begin the conclusion with overused transitions, such as ‘In conclusion’ or ‘In summary’; use a concluding phrase instead.

12. Bibliography and citations • The bibliography is a list of all sources used to write your research paper. • The bibliography and all in-text citations must be in APA style.

13. Requirements • ~ 2000 words • 12-point font • Times New Roman or Arial • 1” margins • double-spaced • title page per APA style • black ink / white paper

14. GOOD LUCK!