Individual Research Project #2
Soundings XV
Name: _________________________________________________
Date: ______________________
You have now completed your first Individual Research Project of the year and it is time to
starting thinking about your second. This IRP will be very similar to the previous one;
however, the “presentation” of the information will be in the form of a well written
Research Paper – minimum five (5) pages.
Introduction:
 Grab the reader’s attention.
 Identification and definition of the topic:
o Statement of the primary research question.
 Major sub-questions you are trying to answer.
 THESIS statement as to importance/significance of the topic chosen,
o This is the reason why you chose the topic and the goals of research.
 Reminder: It is okay if your original thesis is disproven by your research.
Supporting Information:
 Paragraphs of supporting information that directly relate to the thesis.
 Statistics, research, information, surveys, interviews, first-hand accounts, etc.
Conclusions:
 Summary of answers leading to a conclusion regarding thesis statement and
research question.
 Predictions for future or suggestions for next steps/subsequent research.
Bibliography/Sources:
 Including print, electronic, and firsthand (interview) sources listed in PROPER
format.
Final Submission Information:
The Research Paper, with Bibliography attached, is all that is required for the final
submission. You will keep your research, planning sheets, etc. in the folder.
The rough and final drafts of written portions must be…
 Typed in a clearly legible, standard 12 point font
 Font options are as follows; Times, Times New Roman or Arial
 Paper must be double spaced with one inch margins.
 All pages must be numbered.
Individual Research Project #2
Soundings XV
Structuring Your Project:
For IRP#2, YOU will set YOUR due dates, save for the first and final check, as seen below.
The Research Paper is due on Friday, May 15th, 2015, and you must turn in each of the
following items in order and by the due dates listed below. Turn in your GREEN FOLDER,
with all relevant/important information for each check. You may schedule a meeting with
us, if you feel it necessary, at any time during the process, but it is not required.
Due Dates:
 Structuring Your Project (this sheet):
Tuesday, February 10th
 Preliminary planning sheet #1 (Selecting Topic):
________________________________
 Preliminary planning sheet #2 (Topic Questions):
_______________________________
 Preliminary planning sheet #3 (Group Suggestions):
________________________________
 Research Check #1:
________________________________
 First Draft of Introduction:
________________________________
 Research Check #2:
________________________________
 Preliminary Conclusions Identified:
________________________________
 Final Research Check and Research Paper Outline:
________________________________
 First Draft of Conclusion:
________________________________
 First Draft of Research Paper: (No later than 5/1)
________________________________
 Rough draft Bibliography/Sources Page (Works Cited): ________________________________
 Final Draft of Research Paper:
Teacher Initials: ________________________
Friday, May 15th
Date: ____________________________
Individual Research Project #2
Soundings XV
IRP #2
Due Date Revision Sheet
Name: ________________________________________________
Instructions:
Even though you have completed your first IRP, and have set goals for IRP #2, life does
happen and you may need to adjust some of your due dates. Use this sheet to revise any of
your due dates. If you do revise due dates, you must have one of us sign off on the change.
The only dates that are set are the date for the previous sheet and the date that your paper
is due.
Due Date Sheet:
Tuesday, February 10th
Preliminary planning sheet #1 (Selecting Topic):
________________________________
Preliminary planning sheet #2 (Topic Questions):
_______________________________
Preliminary planning sheet #3 (Group Suggestions):
_______________________________
Research Check #1:
_______________________________
First Draft of Introduction:
_______________________________
Research Check #2:
_______________________________
Preliminary Conclusions Identified:
_______________________________
Final Research Check and Research Paper Outline:
_______________________________
First Draft of Conclusion:
_______________________________
First Draft of Research Paper: (No later than 5/1)
_______________________________
Rough draft Bibliography/Sources Page (Works Cited):
_______________________________
Final Draft of Research Paper:
Friday, May 15th
Teacher Initials: ________________________
Date: ____________________________
Individual Research Project #2
Soundings XV
IRP #2
Planning Sheet #1
Name: _____________________________________________________
Date Set: ____________________________________________
Individual Research Project #2:
Preliminary Planning Sheet #1 – Selecting Your Topic
Use this sheet to brainstorm any new topics or questions that you are interested in researching.
List those questions/topics in the space below.
Remember, if you only scratched the surface of your topic in IRP #1, then you are welcome to delve
deeper into this topic for IRP #2.
Are any of the topics/questions you listed above related? Can connections be made?
You now need to identify an overarching question that you are focusing on. For example… “What
impact has technology had on the comfort of shoes?”
Write that question here:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Preliminary Thesis Statement:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Teacher Initials: ________________________
Date: ____________________________
Individual Research Project #2
Soundings XV
IRP #2
Planning Sheet #2
Name: _____________________________________________________
Date Set: __________________________________________________
Individual Research Project #2:
Preliminary Planning Sheet #2 – Topic Questions
Research Topic: _______________________________________________________________________________
Topic Questions:
Now that you have identified the topic you wish to research, use the space below to list a minimum
of ten (10) questions you have about that topic. These questions should help you define your
research and keep the focus on your thesis.
Teacher Initials: ________________________
Date: ____________________________
Individual Research Project #2
Soundings XV
IRP #2
Planning Sheet #3
Name: _____________________________________________________
Date Set: __________________________________________________
Individual Research Project #2:
Preliminary Planning Sheet #3 – Group Suggestions
Directions:
Share your topic and starter questions with a MINIMUM OF THREE of your peers. Your
responsibility is to write down their responses; do not judge what they say. Just write
down their questions and ideas.
Use the graphic organizer on the next page to record all the ideas, comments and questions
they suggest.
After you have received feedback from at least three of your peers, use the final column of
the graphic organizer to share your thoughts on their suggestions.
THE GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS ARE ON
THE NEXT PAGES
Individual Research Project #2
Soundings XV
Peer Name
Peer Comments
Appropriate for Research? Why? Why not?
Individual Research Project #2
Soundings XV
Peer Name
Teacher Initials: ________________________
Peer Comments
Appropriate for Research? Why? Why not?
Date: ____________________________
Individual Research Project #2
Soundings XV
IRP #2
Research Check #1
Name: _____________________________________________________
Date Set: __________________________________________________
Individual Research Project #2:
Research Check #1
Instructions:
On the line above, you have set a date that you will be submitting the FIRST set of data/information
that you have collected from researching your topic.
You should hand in your green folder with all of the information you have found. This information
may be in the form of note cards, printed pages, pictures, websites, etc.
The goal is to check in with you to make sure you are coming along with your research.
TEACHER COMMENTS:
Teacher Initials: ________________________
Date: ____________________________
Individual Research Project #2
Soundings XV
IRP #2
First Draft of Introduction
Name: _____________________________________________________
Date Set: __________________________________________________
Individual Research Project #2:
Introduction – First Draft
Instructions:
Now that you have compiled some research on your topic that supports your thesis, you are at the
point where you should be able to write a first draft of your introduction. This does NOT mean that
this will be the same exact introduction you write for your paper, as you will continue to do
research and will most likely find more data.
The goal for writing this first draft of the introduction is to further focus you on the research and
help you plan out the rest of your paper.
Your introduction should do the following:
 Engage the reader/grab the reader’s attention
 Identify the topic you chose to research.
 Identify your thesis statement.
 Identify the reasons you will give to prove your thesis statement is accurate.
Print out a copy of your introduction and put it in your green folder. Turn in your folder by the
date of the check. We will return the draft with comments/edits.
Teacher Initials: ________________________
Date: ____________________________
Individual Research Project #2
Soundings XV
IRP #2
Research Check #2
Name: _____________________________________________________
Date Set: __________________________________________________
Individual Research Project #2:
Research Check #2
Instructions:
On the line above, you have set a date that you will be submitting the SECOND set of
data/information that you have collected from researching your topic. You should hand in your
green folder with all of the information you have found. This information may be the form of note
cards, printed pages, pictures, websites, etc.
The goal is to check in with you to see how you have progressed since the FIRST check.
TEACHER COMMENTS:
Teacher Initials: ________________________
Date: ____________________________
Individual Research Project #2
Soundings XV
IRP #2
Preliminary Conclusions
Name: _____________________________________________________
Date Set: __________________________________________________
Individual Research Project #2:
Preliminary Conclusions
Instructions:
This sheet is for you to identify the conclusions you have come to based on your research. These
conclusions should be directly related to your thesis and should be supported by the
data/information you have found.
In the space below, or on a typed page attached to this sheet, LIST the PRELIMINARY
CONCLUSIONS you have come to and the data/information/rationale that supports them.
Teacher Initials: ________________________
Date: ____________________________
Individual Research Project #2
Soundings XV
IRP #2
Final Research Check/Outline
Name: _____________________________________________________
Date Set: __________________________________________________
Individual Research Project #2:
Final Research Check and Research Paper Outline
Instructions:
At this time, your research should be coming to a close; therefore, it is time to check to see what
new info you have gathered and to see how you are planning the paper.
On the line above, you have set a date that you will be submitting the FINAL set of data/information
that you have collected from researching your topic.
Additionally, you will be submitting an OUTLINE of your paper. This outline is the skeleton of your
paper and should be used to direct the writing.
Print out a copy of your outline and place it in your green folder. You should hand in your green
folder with ALL of the information you have found AND the outline.
TEACHER COMMENTS:
Teacher Initials: ________________________
Date: ____________________________
Individual Research Project #2
Soundings XV
IRP #2
First Draft of Conclusion
Name: _____________________________________________________
Date Set: __________________________________________________
Individual Research Project #2:
First Draft of Conclusion
Instructions:
You are coming to the end! By this stage in the process, you should have all of your research
completed and be working on writing the paper.
A little while ago (it could be weeks or days, depending upon the schedule you set), you identified
some preliminary conclusions. You then continued your research and wrote an outline for your
paper. Now is the time to hand in the first draft of your CONCLUSION. This should be pretty close
to the same conclusion you will write in the paper.
We are checking to make sure that your thesis has been proven to be correct and that your
reasoning is sound. Of course, we will check for mechanical errors.
Print out a copy of your conclusion and submit it in your green folder.
TEACHER COMMENTS:
Teacher Initials: ________________________
Date: ____________________________
Individual Research Project #2
Soundings XV
IRP #2
Research First Draft
Name: _____________________________________________________
Date Set: __________________________________________________
Individual Research Project #2:
Research Paper First Draft
Instructions:
Today is the day!!! The FIRST draft of your research paper is due. Print out a copy of the paper and
submit it in your green folder.
You are encouraged to write more than one draft; however, this will be the only draft that we will
require you to write and that we will check/edit.
The due date for the first draft of your paper can be no later than Friday, May 1st.
TEACHER COMMENTS:
Teacher Initials: ________________________
Date: ____________________________
Individual Research Project #2
Soundings XV
IRP #2
Works Cited
Name: _____________________________________________________
Date Set: __________________________________________________
Individual Research Project #2:
Works Cited & Resources
Research Topic: _______________________________________________________________________________
Directions:
As you research your topic, you will be getting information from many sources, such as the
following: books, internet, people, etc. It is always important to keep track of these sources to avoid
plagiarism and to relocate or verify information.
Use this sheet to record your sources. Include pertinent information about the author, speaker or
artist, publisher or producer, date of publication or interview and any other information that helps
identify your sources. Keep this sheet handy as you research. Be prepared to hand it in with your
final paper. Attach any extra sheets as needed.
When it comes to your Works Cited, IRP #2 will have the following requirements for PROFICIENT:
 A total of SIXTEEN SOURCES have been used and cited.
 You have conducted ONE INTERVIEW
 You have used FIVE PRINT SOURCES
o Books, Magazines, Encyclopedias, etc.
 You have used TEN WEB/MEDIA SOURCES
o Websites, TV, Radio, etc.
 Bibliography in proper format
 Citations within document
Teacher Initials: ________________________
Date: ____________________________