Research Project Overview - 2015
For this year’s research project, you will research an issue that interests you! Please not that while you
must first think of a basic topic, you are not simply writing a general overview of your area of interest.
Instead, you should pick a specific subcategory of your topic, researching it to form an opinion on
which stance you will take (if it you have a research question that has two possible sides) OR to
create a claim to support the argument (for the thesis you create for a subcategory for a broader
category that does not lend itself necessarily to a yes/no & why style question).
Here are examples of the two POSSIBLE styles of Research Topics:
Style One: Research Question
Unacceptable Option: College Sports
Acceptable Option: Should college athletes be paid?
**This question allows you to discuss EITHER why you believe they
should OR should not be paid. You should pick a side, complete your
research, and make a claim/discuss a stance on one side OR the
other. You cannot say both or it depends or you don’t know. Pick
a side and that’s your paper.
**Please note that this is not your thesis. This is just what your paper is
about. Once you have your research, you will create your thesis.
Style Two: NARROWED Research Topic (We’ll call it a Subtopic, Really)
Unacceptable Option: Obesity
Acceptable Option: The government should be more involved in the
regulations of diets and physical activity in order to decrease childhood
obesity.
**YOU WILL NOT SIMPLY GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF THE GENERAL TOPIC
OF OBESITY (OR ANY TOPIC) WITH THIS TYPE OF PAPER. However,
some background will most likely be necessary in order to
understand the claim you have made. Be sure to find the
appropriate balance.
**It is very important that your topic makes a claim, no matter what
that claim may be, and that what you are writing about narrows
the focus of the “major” (broad) topic. If you want to write about
obesity, answer the question, “What about obesity am I interested
in?” to narrow the scope. If you want to write about alcoholism,
answer the question, “What about alcoholism do I want to learn
about?” to narrow the board field. Do the same for any topic you
are interested in writing about.
**Please note that this is not your thesis. This is just what your paper is
about. Once you have your research, you will create your thesis.
Guidelines:
No one within your class (A-day & B-day, respectively) may have the exact same
research topic; however, you may have contrasting viewpoints or varying
subtopics.
You must make sure you can find adequate research/sources on the topic you
choose to write about. Ultimately, you cannot write a paper if you cannot
find the materials. Please keep this in mind.
You must submit your paper to turnitin.com in order for your paper to be graded.
YOU MUST TURN IN THE FINAL COPY OF THE PAPER ON TIME.
Formatting & Requirement Overview:
Length – 3-4 double spaced pages
Format – MLA format (Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, 1-in. margins)
Sources – 4 minimum sources (We will discuss these requirements on Monday
11/30; however, please be aware that books cannot be checked out
from the media center during the research process because of the
necessity for multiple students to share.
Materials (Needed by Monday 11/30):
3x5 index cards
Pen or Pencil
Rubber Band, Notecard Ring, or Sandwich Bag
Flashdrive (Optional)
Highlighter (Optional)
Timeline (Locations TBD):
11/16-17: Research Topics Introduced
11/24: Topic Google Form Due @ Beginning of Class (Opens Wednesday 11/18)
11/30: JOINT CLASS (MC) – Intro to Research/Research Refresher
12/1-2: Research Source/Note Cards
12/3-4: Research Source/Note Cards
12/7-8: Research Source/Note Cards
*Source & Note Cards Due @ End of Class
12/9-10: Outlines
*Outlines Due @ End of Class
12/11-14: Rough Drafts
12/15-16: Rough Drafts
12/17-18: *Rough Drafts Due @ BEGINNING of Class*  Peer Editing
1/4-5: FINAL DRAFTS DUE AT BEGINNING OF CLASS (with all additional materials)
ALL PAPERS MUST BE TURNED IN BY MONDAY/TUESDAY, JANUARY 4/5 (respectively), 2016. If you are absent that day, you should
send your paper/materials with a friend and/or email it to me.
Grading:
The final paper will count for two test grades. All small preparatory assignments will count for
classwork/homework assignments OR quiz grades, depending on the assignment. Any
plagiarism will result in an automatic zero.
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the research requirements explained above and have
had any questions answered. I also understand that no papers will be accepted after Monday, January 5, 2015.
Student signature______________________________________________________ Date ________________
Parent Signature_______________________________________________________ Date _________________
This signed slip is due back to Ms. James by December 1/2, respectively. Please do not forget, as you will get points!!!