Questions and Topics We Can Help You To Answer:
Paper Instructions:
The Research Report
Questions to Ask Concerning the Reporting of your Research (and that of others)
1. Do the researchers clearly specify the main research question or problem? What is the ‘why’ question?
2. Have the researchers demonstrated the value and significance of their research question and indicated how their research findings will contribute to scientific knowledge about their topic?
3. Have the researchers proposed clear explanations for the political phenomena that interest them? What types of relationships have been hypothesized? Do they discuss alternative explanations?
4. Are the independent and dependent variables identified? If so, what are they? Have the authors considered any alternative or control variables? If so, identify them. Can you think of any that the researchers did not mention?
5. Are the hypotheses empirical, general, and plausible?
6. Are the concepts in the hypotheses clearly defined? Are the operational definitions given the variables valid and reasonable? What is the level of measurement for each of the variables?
7. What method of data collection is used to make the necessary observations? Are the observations valid and reliable measurements?
8. Have the researchers made empirical observations about the units of analysis specified to the hypotheses?
9. If a sample is used, what type of sample is it? Does the type of sample seriously affect the conclusions that can be drawn from the research? Do the researchers discuss this?
10. What type of research design is used? Does the research design adequately test the hypothesized relationships?
11. Are the statistics that are used appropriate for the level of measurement of the variables?
12. Are the research findings presented and discussed clearly? Is the basis for deciding whether a hypothesis is supported or refuted clearly specified?
Points to Remember
§ A research report rarely addresses all the questions that can be raised about a topic.
§ After conducting solid research, you will want others to know what you have discovered concerning your topic. The better the report is written, the more likely you will be able/want to distribute it widely (publish, send to colleagues, present findings at conferences, etc.).
§ A well-written report assists others to evaluate your work.
Specific
Misrepresentation, Plagiarism, and Assistance from Others—Produce an honest and truthful account of what you have done. Do not claim to have done work that was preformed by others. Be concerned with exaggerations. Do not fabricate results or findings. You can use other’s ideas and work through carefully citing the original authors in your footnotes and bibliographies. You should read all referred to materials in their primary form (not taking for granted other’s interpretations of the original work). You should acknowledge assistance by formally referring to them in the introduction or in a footnote at the beginning of the report (most often footnote number 1).
Sexist and Racist Language—You should avoid sexist and racist language whenever possible. Empirical studies have shown that the use of such language does make a difference in the inferences that the readers draw.
Non-Sexist Language Choices:
Sexist Non-Sexist
Man/Mankind Person, People, Human Beings
Man-made Synthetic, Artificial, Manufactured
Manpower Workforce, Staff
Man-hours Work hours
Forefathers Ancestors
Master Copy Top Copy, Original
Your Research Paper
1.Title Page: Includes Title of paper, Name of Student, University, Title of course, Number of Course, Professor’s Name, Word Count, location, date.
Example:
The Illicit Drug and Human Trafficking between Russia and the United States
An comparative analysis of the institutionalization of international crime
By Sponge-Bob Square-Pants
A Research Paper submitted to George Mason University
For credit in Law and Justice Around the World
Professor Bob Smyth
ADJ 490-002
Fairfax, VA
Monday, March 30, 2015
Word Count: 2,625
2) Text: All basic text in the paper should be double-spaced. Indented block quotations, however, may be single-spaced. It is also conventional to single-space footnotes, itemized lists, and bibliographies or reference lists, leaving a blank line between notes, items, or entries. Also, please use the same font throughout the paper (Footnotes should be of a smaller font size).
3) Pagination: For this paper, please include page number at the bottom right corner in the footer section. Although all pages are counted in the pagination, some of the preliminaries may not have page numbers typed on them. The pages prior to the text in your paper (Table of Contents, Abstract, etc.) should have their page number indicated with lower case roman numerals (ii, iii, iv, etc.) in the footer section. Page numbering for the text sections should start with the first page of your text in Arabic numerals (1, 2, etc.).
4) Table of Contents: Usually headed CONTENTS, lists all the parts of the paper except the title page. Subheads within the chapters should be included.
5) List of Tables and Figures: Depending upon what is contained in your paper, entitle the page List of Tables, Graphs, and Figures. Delete or add to this as applicable.
6) List of Abbreviations: If you use more than five abbreviations in your paper, please, provide a separate page entitled List of Abbreviations.
7) Abstract: Briefly summarize the thesis and contents of the paper. Please read a few examples prior to attempting to write one. It is not an Introduction! Should be between 150 to 250 words, block paragraphed, and single or 1 ½ spaced. Remember, abstracts are what you do in your paper, not what you will do. In other words, do not use the future tense.
8) Introduction: The text usually begins with an introduction. This will contain your hypothesis, why you are interested in the topic (why should others be interested). A brief highlighting of your conclusions will also stimulate interest for the reader to continue reading. It may also include your operational definitions (These can be placed in the first section of your paper as well. In many instances, it will be to your advantage to define your terms as quickly as possible). Try to avoid using first person pronouns.
9) Text: The body of the paper is usually separated into well-defined divisions such as parts, chapters, sections and sub-sections.
Section and Sub-section: In some papers (most likely the kind you are writing for this class), the author divides it into sections and sub-sections. Such divisions are customarily given titles, called subheads or subheadings, which are differentiated typographically and designated first-, second-, and third-level subheads. The principal, or first-level, subdivision should have greater attention value than the lower levels. Centered headings have more attention value than side-heads and italic, underlining, or boldface type has more than text type. Attention value is also enhanced by leaving some blank space above and below all but run-in subheads.
US Laws and Enforcement (first-level)
Federal Laws (second-level)
The law (third-level)
Text.
Court Rulings (third-level)
Text.
Etc. until:
Summary (second-level)
Russian Laws and Enforcement (first-level)
Federal Laws (second-level)
The law (third-level)
Text.
Court Rulings (third-level)
Text.
Etc. until:
Summary (second-level)
10) Conclusion: This will be the final section of your paper. Spend some time on this section. Too often students have completed a good paper and then, provide a very weak conclusion—this always depresses your professor. If the paper was solid and there is just a brief conclusion, it affects your grade negatively. However, be careful not to make statements in which you did not provide support in the paper. Additionally, try not to include new material/information in this section. You can at the end of the conclusion suggest, based on the research you conducted, what might be worthwhile to investigate in future research projects.
11) Footnotes/Endnotes: Consistent use of style. Please use footnote citations. Chicago Manual of Style—If you chose another citation method, remain consistent! If you have a large number of graphs and charts, it may make sense to use endnotes instead of footnotes. However, those using MLA for this paper will automatically be starting with a disadvantage.
12) Appendices: Should be divided into logical sections and well written if in the form of text.
13) Methodology: Depending upon the paper, you may wish to address this in the first section. In other cases, it might be included in the Appendices.
14) Bibliography: In alphabetical order, list all sources used. May be divided based upon type of material if you wish (Journals and periodicals; Books; Web sources, etc.).
