Purpose:
The purpose of the research paper is as much about learning how to do research and the technique of writing a research paper as it is to enhance your knowledge about a particular topic. A third objective is to have fun! Choose to research something that interests you – it’s the best way to ensure you can sustain the energy and focus needed to do the job well.
Choosing a Topic:
Make sure that you follow the “Steps of Historical Research” to begin.
You have a license to choose your topic. You can choose anything from American history (1900-2008), but it must be approved by your instructor before you begin.
Make sure you begin your research by starting with more general sources and moving to increasingly specialized sources. This includes starting in the reference section. Typing in keywords and browsing through the titles in databases such as Questia and Gale may give you some good ideas.
You are expected to find, use, and focus on the most recent scholarship on your topic.
In addition, get a hold of the most recent scholarly work on your topic and consult its footnotes/endnotes and bibliography to give you the names of other sources. Carefully read over the bibliographies of every source to try to get ideas for new sources.
Here is a copy of Library Resources at Avenues (needs updating).
Basic Requirements of the Research Paper:
The focus of your research project should be on how this topic reflects the often changing/evolving concept(s) of Freedom and Liberty or the American Dream.
Online encyclopedias such as Wikipedia, Encyclopedia Britannica, or Gale (general overview) CANNOT be used as a source for this paper. You may use it to get general, introductory information about an idea you are developing.
You are required to use a wide range of sources. Your initial annotated bibliography should have at least 10 sources. This could include secondary sources, reference books, periodicals, and scholarly articles. Some of these sources are expected to be primary sources.
The expectation is that most of your sources will come from the Avenues library. Any outside sources (including those on the internet) can be used only with your instructor’s permission. Periodical databases to which the library subscribes are good sources to use and their bound holdings.
Be proactive in making sure we meet one-on-one to talk about the progress of your research and paper. These conversations can be incredibly fruitful both in terms of helping to clarify the issues for you and in terms of giving your instructor an idea of your efforts, frustrations, successes, and overall progress, more than just reading your paper. Throughout the project, you should aim to meet with your instructor one-on-one 3 times at least.
Stick to the research and writing schedule as it is spelled out through the calendar. Remember – the expectation is that you will spend the class time and the normal homework time completing your research and writing. Don’t let distractions set you back, especially early in the research process. Use every chance you can to get ahead to ease the pressure when things build up in your other classes as well.
The research paper should have a TITLE, be about 5-7 pages in length (12-point font size and double line-spaced) and needs to be complete with proper documentation of sources (footnotes and bibliography cited in Chicago Style).
Final drafts will be accepted only with the previous completion of the rough draft. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED. For any exceptional situations, please discuss this with your instructor.
Topic of choice
Examining the Global Security Landscape Post-Manhattan Project and Atomic Bombings
