Your paper will be 5-6 pages (double-spaced) and is worth 150 points. Each paper must include the following elements, each clearly labeled:
A brief introduction (1 paragraph) to set up the focus of your topic.
A brief review of the literature (3 pages)– this is a summary of the research done on this topic with at least 3 sources. Papers should cite sources using the APA (American Psychological Association) format.
A (1 sentence) hypothesis for study. A hypothesis must be written so that it can be proven or not supported on the basis of your study. For example, the question “which type of relational aggression (rumor- spreading, silent treatment, etc.) causes the most pain?” is not an acceptable hypothesis. “Rumor spreading is the most frequently used tool of relational aggression in girls” would be acceptable statement.
A detailed description of research methods (1-2 paragraph discussion) which explains the process you could realistically use to test your hypothesis. For example, in this section you could say that “two researchers will conduct a survey of 300 middle and high school girls at 6 different schools in the Seattle Metropolitan area.” You may choose any one of the research methods discussed in the text in Appendix B (except rhetorical criticism). For example, you could create a lab experiment and bring in subjects, conduct a survey, engage in a structured observation of subjects, or do an ethnographic study of conversation of a particular group of people.
Resource: Appendix B (Trenholm text).
A reference section including all sources cited in the review of the literature. You will use the APA (American Psychological Association) format. Consult the BC library website for helpful information on this style of documentation and other research paper assistance. http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/lmc
Appendix A. If you suggest a survey, please include the survey questions in Appendix A (following the reference page). If you suggest an observation or a content analysis, please include the criteria you will use/chart to record data gathered in the Appendix (following the reference page). If you suggest another research method (such as a lab experiment or ethnography), please contact me about how to present the details in the Appendix A.
Resource: Examples: Appendix A