WRITING ARESEARCH REPORTIEP Integrated Studies

The Process

1. Choose a topic2. Gather materials3. Narrow the topic4. Formulate a research question5. Research in-depth6. Write the introduction and thesis7. Write the body8. Write the conclusion9. Write the bibliography

Choose a topicChoose a topic in your field of

study. Write about something you are interested in to lead you to a question you have about something particular in your field.

Gather materialsOnce you have chosen

a general topic, gather materials (periodicals, scholarly articles, lecture videos, professional articles) to explore information that exists on your topic.

Take notes on the information you find and keep a list of all materials in a ‘dump document’.

Narrow your topic

Assume your topic is too broad. When a topic is too broad, it will not allow you to do an in-depth analysis and demonstrate critical thinking.

In research writing

you need a narrowed topic in order to explore the topic in detail.

Formulate a research questionDevelop a question or discover a

controversy related to your topic to show your perspective.

Your job is to present your own perspective and use the research to support your idea.

This question will be the springboard for the thesis.

In-depth researchSearch the databases for scholarly and

professional articles on your narrowed topic.

You need to collect and refer to two or three articles in your research paper.

You may find the need to narrow your topic even more as you complete your in-depth research.

Write a source list with annotations.

Write your introductionThe introduction to your research

paper will present the overall topic and your thesis, the key argument you want to prove in your paper.

The introduction can include the following• First, an attention getter on the

general topic or an extended definition of the key topic.• Second, the supporting sentences

with general background information on the topic• Last, a thesis with the main

argument of the paper.

The thesisThe thesis is one or two

complete sentences at the end of the introduction that express the key argument you will prove in your paper.

The thesis must be• clear and direct - not

vague language• a statement that is

not posed as a question• in third person only

Body paragraphsThe body of the research paper

includes three sections.1. Literature review – summarize

what the current research shows in relation to your topic.

2. Presentation of your view – explain and develop the support for your ideas on the topic.

3. Implications/effects of your view – explain the effects/results and the importance of your idea.

ConclusionThe conclusion is your

last effort to convince the reader that your idea is valid.

Write strong, direct sentences that give the main points of your paper and propose what may happen in the future.

Do not give new points in the conclusion.Do not begin the conclusion with overused

transitions, such as ‘In conclusion’ or ‘In summary’; use a concluding phrase instead.

Bibliography and citationsThe bibliography is a list of all

sources used to write your research paper.

The bibliography and all in-text citations must be in APA style.

Requirements1000 - 1500 words12-point fontTimes New Roman or Arial1” marginsdouble-spacedtitle page per APA styleblack ink / white paper

GOOD LUCK!