The research project is the most important assignment of the semester, combining research, persuasive writing, documentation and original thought into one product. It offers each student the opportunity to choose to explore a topic within his/her field and to offer to others the knowledge gained as well as insights especially developed by the writer.

The research project must explore a current, ongoing development in the student's career field or academic major, one that will cause--or may already haved caused--significant change within the field, with more changes yet to come. 

The topic MUST BE PRE-APPROVED BY THE INSTRUCTOR using the Research Proposal Assignment,  plus be related to the student's major and/or career choice. 

All papers must observe the ethical standards supported by the University and the English Department on plagiarism and on dual submission of papers.

GOALS

• To explore current developments in each student's career field
• To make an independent contribution to the current state of knowledge on your topic
• To develop an original thesis supported by solid research
• To incorporate a variety of sources, found both in and out of academia
• To practice online as well as library research techniques
• To employ appropriate tone and vocabulary for an academic audience
• To demonstrate mastery of APA or MLA format as appropriate

LENGTH
The paper should contain 5 to 7 pages of text, double spaced. If using APA format, assemble final product in this order:

1. title page
2. abstract
3. text  (5-7 pp.)
4. endnotes if used  (Chicago format ONLY)
5. bibliography  (Called "References" in APA format; "Works Cited" In MLA format)
6. any graphics or appendices (optional)

FORMAT--APA OR MLA

MLA is appropriate for topics in English language or literature, history, foreign languages, the arts, government, business, or any topic with unusual nontraditional sources

APA is appropriate for topics in economics, psychology, mathematics, the sciences, medicine, or any area of research where recency of data is crucial.

Engineers may use engineering format and biologists may use biology format if cleared with the instructor IN ADVANCE. Turabian (also known as Chicago) format is not recommended except fo rhistory majors.

REQUIRED ELEMENTS

1. a clear thesis, arguing or persuading in favor of one particular point of view
2. some original contribution to the topic (New procedure, comparison or combination or elements not joined by others, analysis of strengths and/or weaknesses of a plan or position, etc.)
3. a minimum of ten authoritative and appropriate sources. Sources must be
• scholarly or professional, 
• screened for reliability and 
• directly relevant to the choice of topic. 
• Except for one or two which might establish historical background, all should be current--written within the last five years.
4. clear attribution of sources used for text, concepts, numbers, statistics, or graphics, either by traditional endnotes/footnotes, or by mentioning the source in the text
5. a polished, professional appearance

GRADING
Most important to know is that--as it says on the syllabus--you cannot pass English 302 without completing this assignment. A late paper will be penalized one letter grade for every day that it is late, unless by special PRIOR arrangement with the instructor.

In order of importance, papers will be evaluated on

• clear thesis
• original thought supported by evidence
• inclusion of both general principles and specific, concrete support for same
• selection of authoritative sources directly related to the topic
• documentation of sources, including 
• internal citations  
• WorksCited or References
• powerful use of source materials, whether as quotes, statistics, graphics or whatever
• compelling conclusion(s) based upon rest of paper
• correct use of  documentation format of choice
• well chosen, correctly formatted quotations
• university-level vocabulary, including field-appropriate terminology
• sophisticated use of sentence structure and grammar

DUAL SUBMISSION OF PAPERS
This research paper may be submitted to two professors in the same semester under guidelines established for students by the university.  This is a unique provision that is not true of any other assignment in any class unless specifically arranged between two instructors.
Click here to go to Guidelines for Dual Submission

REFERENCE SOURCES
Students are encouraged to seek sources in the business and academic worlds to bolster their research. While library research may be helpful, online research will be essential for all papers, given the recency of findings on student topics. Interviews with academic or professional experts are highly recommended.

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