Paper OutlineResearch Methodologies

Background

It is recommended that the paper in this course be a minimum of 15 pages (not including title page or references) This is should be the length of KGA 2 (give or

take a few pages) KGA 1 should be 2+

Remember, KGA 1 is the beginning stages of KGA 2

Instead of “I” or “MY” say “The researcher”

There is a difference!

Introduction 1-2 Paragraphs

What not to do . . . Apologize Announce your intentions Use a dictionary or

encyclopedia definition Dilly-dally.

Get to it

What to do . . . Historical Review Anecdotal

little story Surprising

Statement Famous Person

what celebrities say and do

Declarative get the

reader's interest

Introduction Cont.

Purpose / Significance of Research

Typically 2-3 Paragraphs

First sentence should be: “The purpose of this research is to . . .”

Defend why your research is needed

Can be in first person

First talk about what your research will do for your field and then say why it is significant

Research Question / Limitations

This can be 1-2 paragraphs

You should list all your research question in one paragraph Should be in complete paragraphs and not

bulleted.

List all your limitations to your research and why they will be difficult to overcome Should be in complete paragraphs and not

bulleted.

Methodology

Qualitative

Quantitative

Mixed Methods

Define each method and then explain why your research is a certain one and not the others.

This should be about 2-3 paragraphs One paragraph defining all three methods to

show understanding of them. One-two paragraphs arguing why your research

is the method you choose and not the others.

Conceptual Framework

Based on your research what theory will guide your paper?

Only used in Quantitative or Mixed Methods Research

A conceptual framework is used in research to outline possible courses of action or to present a preferred approach to an idea or thought. Working Hypothesis

Like all hypotheses, a working hypothesis is constructed as a statement of expectations, which can be linked to the exploratory research purpose in empirical investigation and are often used as a conceptual framework in qualitative research

Organization of Paper

The most important section of your paper

Tell the reader what the rest of the paper will cover Should not discuss sections that precedes this

one

This should be two-three paragraphs One paragraph discussing how your findings will

be laid out One paragraph discussing your reflection section One paragraph discussing your conclusion

Annotated Bibliography

This is only done for the proposal and will be omitted on the final research paper!

Bibliography a list of sources (books, journals, websites,

periodicals, etc.) one has used for researching a topic

Annotation summary and/or evaluation

Annotated Bibliography includes a summary and/or evaluation of each of the

sources You should summarize, assess, and reflect on your

research sources.

Findings

First part of Research Paper (KGA2)

Each research question must be answered!

Use of at least eight articles must be present

There are no “I” or “MY” statements.

Reflection

Based on your research: analyze your experiences, make changes

based on your mistakes, keep doing what is successful, and build upon or modify past knowledge based on new knowledge

make connections between courses, school, work, and home

Conclusion

Stress the importance of the thesis (purpose) statement,

give the research a sense of completeness, and

leave a final impression on the reader.

Here is how: Answer the question "So What?” Synthesize, don't summarize

Show me how the points you made and the support and examples you used were not random, but fit together

Redirect your readers Give your reader something to think about, perhaps a way to use

your paper in the "real" world Create a new meaning

You don't have to give new information to create a new meaning. Demonstrating how your ideas work together, you can create a new picture

The end result (if you choose)!