research paper
afatsum
instructorsforthepaper.docxWrite about this topic (trump- zero tolerance policy)
What trump doing? Answer question about this theory
GUIDELINES FOR TERM PAPERS
Papers for PS should be 10-12 double-spaced types pages, plus the bibliography. Papers longer than 14 pages in text will be docked 5% per extra page. Papers shorter than 9 pages surely do not do justice to the topic.
All citations and bibliographies should be properly formatted using the Chicago Citation style guide
NOTE: This class requires that you use Author-Date-page number in text citations. DO NOT USE FOOTNOTES OR ENDNOTES for citations.
Citations should look like this: (Author Last Name, Year, pg. #). If page numbers are not available, then put "NP" so I can tell that you looked for them.) In that case, the reference would look like this: "(Author Last Name, Year, NP)".
If there is no visible author, use a short version of the title: "("When Trump Was .. `.., 2017, pg. 6)".
The bibliography should start on a new page and is not included in the page count.
PURPOSES OF THE PAPER : Your research should test a hypothesis about your subject. Evaluate the validity of a common theory, public assumptions, or a specific political statement.
The paper should: 1) clearly state the hypothesis the paper evaluates; 2) explain why the issue deserves attention; 3) provide accurate and current details on the issue; 4) examine what other writers have said about the subject; 5) identify key actors affecting the subject, and 6) report your conclusions regarding the hypothesis. Was the hypothesis correct? Why, or why not?
Possible approaches to selecting a topic:
1) Focus on a specific issue that interests you - perhaps an area of controversy or which connects to your career interests(domestic security policy, federal lands policy);
2) Focus on a specific part of the policy process - such as agenda-setting(why something receives attention at a particular time – immigration in 2006), or implementation(the problems of carrying out a policy – “No Child Left Behind”), etc.
3) Examine specific institutions - such as the role of the courts in Affirmative Action policy, the significance of party change in Congress, etc.
4) Analyze and apply specific policy or political science theories - such as the validity of the “subgovernment” theory; “incrementalism and Social Security policy”, etc.
RESEARCH EXPECTATIONS: Good research examines books, journal articles, and relevant government documents. You must use at least five academic articles or books. In general, an “academic source” is “peer-reviewed” and includes /or a bibliography. Time and Newsweek, and the New York Times may be useful and cited, but they are not “academic”. Unless directly produced by a credible institution or organization, websites and blogs are not worth using. Good papers generally have at least 15 sources overall.
