Research Papers – doing it right!

1. Research Papers – doing it right!

2. Research paper • What it is: • Combination of research, critical thinking, source evaluation, organization, and writing skills • Living, breathing thing that changes as you learn more • What it is not: • Book report • Opinion piece • Your interpretation of an issue

3. Research paper - types Argumentative papers -take a position (the death penalty should be abolished, teachers should not be armed, marijuana should be legal) Analytical papers - define something & break it down (the interpretation of a particular poem, scientific evidence in support of and against anthropogenic global warming)

4. Defining and Narrowing a Topic • Find something you have a strong interest in (global warming, environmental impact of mountain biking, nutritional value of school lunch) • Start thinking of questions you have on that topic • If you can’t find a topic, try looking here: • SIRS Issues Researcher

5. Credibility • Definition: 1.capable of being believed; believable: a credible statement. 2.worthy of belief or confidence; trustworthy: a credible witness. • Credibility is important! • If your research is flawed, so is your argument. • If you use credible sources, you can believe them, and your readers can believe you.

6. How do I know if my sources are credible? • Most books you find in library nonfiction are credible. • Most newspapers are credible. • New York Times • Washington Post • Rapid City Journal • Scholarly journals are usually credible. • JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) • Most government publications are credible. • Reputable organizations are usually credible. • American Cancer Society • World Health Organization • American Red Cross • Most information from colleges is credible. • .edu websites

7. How do I know if my sources are credible? • You can automatically rule out: • Social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr) • Personal blogs • Opinion sites • Yahoo! Answers • eNotes • Wikianswers

8. Using the Internet for Research • The internet offers the BEST information on MANY topics. • The internet offers the WORST information on MOST topics. • You can use internet resources for research papers, but you have to be careful.

9. Credible Internet Sources • Ways to tell a credible internet source: • Looks professional • The website doesn’t look like it was made by a 4-year-old with a crayon • All or most links are working • Information offered is easy to verify • The website offers links to where they found their information • The sources of their information is also credible

10. Credible Internet Sources • It is easy to contact the owners of the website for more information or to ask questions • The site is up to date • Information from 2004 is not listed as “recent” • There are no errors • The site uses proper spelling and grammar • The website is appropriate • There is no inappropriate language, graphics, or photos

11. Credible Internet Sources • These guidelines are not 100% • When in doubt, ask for help from a teacher or librarian • If you’re still not sure, DON’T use it • Be careful with .com sites • All .com sites are trying to sell something, which means they are all biased in some way • Sites with lots of advertisements are usually less credible

12. Additional Tips: • Never Use Personal Pronouns in Research Papers. “I think, You will agree,” etc. If you’re citing the works of a group of researchers, don’t state “they found.” State instead, “The group concluded,” or “It was determined.” Remain totally objective - your credibility is at stake. • If you cite research that supports your thesis, then you should also cite works that support the opposition.