Your final paper should be 8-10 pages in standard formatting (double-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12-point font such as Times New Roman). Note that this page range includes the title page and bibliography. Your final paper will need to include the following:
A title page;
Well-developed introductory paragraph explaining your research question/topic and comparative cases, the topic’s significance, and briefly referencing some of the main points and findings offered in the paper;
The body of the research paper should consist of each of the following:
An overview of your research topic – including relevant history, existing research on the topic, and any debates;
Discussion of your comparative cases and why they are comparable as well as why they might not be comparable;
Discussion of your research findings
A concise concluding paragraph that briefly restates both the purpose of the research paper as well as some of your central findings. Be sure the concluding paragraph does not introduce new information;
List of all sources consulted in the preparation of the research paper. The final product should include at least 10 relevant outside sources. Aim at a minimum for credible sources and also try to work with scholarly sources when possible. The essay and the list of references should be formatted according to APA-style documentation (or some other standard citation format, such as MLA).
Incorporate at least two relevant course concepts in your final paper and reference course materials (including readings, discussion threads, etc.) as appropriate. This is to help you reflect more deeply on the course material and apply it to your research project.
Your paper will be graded on the quality and depth of your analysis, quality of your research, and quality of writing.
The research paper assignment for this course requires that you consider a particular problem
of governance using the lens of comparative politics. After conducting independent research
throughout the semester, you will write a paper in which you articulate a research question or
topic, discuss findings from your research, and include some comparison in your analysis. Your
paper should present evidence drawn from authoritative sources (either primary or secondary),
show depth of analysis, and be logically defensible
My Research Topic: Comparing US and Iceland crime and security as well as discussing factors such as mental health and the prevention
