The Research Paper should include a title page, abstract, introduction, literature review, research design, analysis and assessment, conclusion, and reference list. But students who have not taken a research methods course need not despair. Good grades for all can be earned by submitting less formal but well-written and comprehensive work.
A brief comparison of an essay and a research paper can be found at:
https://papersowl.com/blog/difference-between-essay-and-research-paperLinks to an external site.
The Research Paper should be logically and factually based. It could be cross-sectional at one point in time or longitudinal at different points in time. A brief comparison of the two can be found at:
https://learning.closer.ac.uk/learning-modules/introduction/types-of-longitudinal-research/longitudinal-versus-cross-sectional-studies/#:~:text=Longitudinal%20studies%20differ%20from%20one,sample%20of%20people%20over%20timeLinks to an external site.. Links to an external site.
The Research Paper should answer a theoretical research question. Alternative answers found in scholarly books and peer reviewed academic journal articles should be cited and discussed in the literature review section of the paper.
Next comes the research design followed by the analysis and assessment. The variables identified in the literature review can be classified as independent variables or causes, dependent variables or effects, and control variables or constants. These variables can then be operationalized using logical arguments, factual evidence, and/or specific measures. Conflict is for example a variable whereas numbers killed and wounded (military and civilian) are measures.
Students may write quantitative papers that feature statistical tests of theoretical hypotheses or qualitative papers that include at least some charts and/or graphs of numerical data created in the separate spreadsheet assignment. A brief comparison of qualitative and quantitative methods can be found at:
https://stevenson.libguides.com/c.php?g=236343Links to an external site.
The Research Paper should be a minimum of 3000 words. It should be typed in Microsoft Word and attached as a single-spaced Word doc in this section before the end of Week 8.
The Paper must follow the APA or APSA Style. The latter manual can be downloaded at: https://connect.apsanet.org/stylemanual/ (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
Along with other references, students should include a minimum of five relevant references to peer reviewed articles in academic journals such as those listed in the references section of the textbook.
Students are required to submit a Slideshow in conjunction with the Research Paper. It should be prepared using PowerPoint and attached as a single file during Week 8.
This assignment gives students the opportunity to practice with presentation software. The slideshow may contain relevant bullets, tables, charts, graphs, maps, photos, etc. But audio/video should not be included.
Students are required to submit a Spreadsheet in conjunction with the Research Paper. It should be prepared using Excel and attached as a single file during Week 8.
This assignment gives students the opportunity to practice with analytic software. First, the spreadsheet should contain relevant numerical data in labeled rows and columns. Second, this data should be used to prepare pie charts, line graphs, scatterplots, etc. But the use of formulas is not required.
Students should not cut and paste someone else’s work into their spreadsheet. All items should be prepared from scratch.