Title
Research Topic:
What persuasive topic do you want to research? What are the two sides to this debatable topic? Why did you choose the topic? What do you already know or believe about the topic? What research questions do you want to answer (please underline these)? What type of person (intended audience) would be most interested in learning about your topic? What you do think your stance will be (think thesis)? This can be more than one paragraph
Research Tools & Methods:
In this section, the student writes a narrative about the entire research process step by
step. The student would actually write something like “I started off by Googling my topic and
did not have any success finding useful websites. I decided to talk to my parents to see if they
had any ideas. They advised me to talk to the high school librarian which I did the following
day. The librarian I spoke with directed me to some great resources which I found to be very
useful in the completion of this project.” This would continue until the student has completely
described their journey through the completion of this project. It is perfectly acceptable to
describe all the successes and challenges you faced along the way. Because it is written as a
narrative, the student may use “I” throughout this section as well.
Discuss the research plan in detail: How will you go about finding information (i.e. support) for your topic? What library resources might you consult? What Internet resources might you consult? What specific “search terms” might you use to find information? What two sources have you found that frame the conversation/debate for you (please summarize these)?
Research Summary:
To be thorough for this section of the paper, students should try to focus on three or four
major findings from their research and then expand upon each. More than three or four are fine
as well. The student should make it obvious in this section that they did a thorough job of
researching the topic. The student accomplishes this through the quality and quantity of
information presented. The student should also expand on what areas you would have explored
if you had more time. At least one paragraph per source. If there are quotes or paraphrases, they should be cited in APA format.
Reflection:
What do these sources mean for your research topic? How do they change your research process? How will you use these sources? Did your research match your expectations or align with your hypothesis?
Also in the reflection section, discuss where you are in the research/writing process. Refer to the GAView Calendar for specific due dates and to make your own research and drafting goals.
Key Challenges:
Research is not always an easy task. What concerns do you have about working on your selected topic? What parts of research or the research process do you think will be the most difficult for you, and why? What are some things you can do to help you overcome the challenges you will face?
References
All entries are to be done in APA format. The following are reminders:
1. Entries are not numbered.
2. Entries are listed in alphabetical order based on the first letter that appears in the proper
APA format of the source.
3. Entries are double spaced and indented after the first line as needed.
4. All sources should be credible. No general encyclopedias – this includes Wikipedia – can
be used.
5. Although not mandatory, student should try to vary the types of sources used to hit their
topic from a variety of angles. This is a necessary part of good research.
6. All sources used must be listed. Minimum of five needed.
