Researchpaper

IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

POLS 4460 – SENIOR SEMINAR

SPRING SEMESTER 2019

RESEARCH PAPER GUIDELINES

THE RESEARCH PAPER FORMAT

Formal Title Page

Abstract (150 words or less)

Table of Contents

Main Text - Introduction

Thesis Statement

Literature Review

Main Arguments and Evidence

Conclusion

Citations

Appendix (tables can appear in the text or as appendices)

References (works cited or bibliography)

- Length - 25 to 35 pages

· Please consult the American Political Science Association Style Manual for Political Science for questions regarding format issues.

· Please feel free to talk with department and ISU faculty to help you in the researching and writing of your paper.

· We will grade your paper in consultation with our fellow political science professors.

THE RESEARCH PAPER PROCESS

Topic Selection

You will need to formally propose (as part of your written prospectus) two political science research topics. Designate your first and second preference. Your topic choice will in all likelihood combine a personal interest on your part with a relevant topic in one of the political science subfields (American politics and government, public policy, public administration, comparative politics, international relations, public law, or political philosophy). A relevant topic may overlap two or more subfields.

The criteria of “relevance” will in part be decided by your instructor, and in part based upon your ability to convince him that a relevant scholarly literature exists with regard to your topic. The key to the successful adoption of a topic, thesis, and overall paper will be your ability to identify a robust, professional literature on your topic.

If you pitch a topic that is highly subjective (you have a clear personal interest and are a true believer in your topic and the conclusion is a done deal before you do any research) it will likely be rejected as too biased. Your senior seminar research paper cannot be some kind of quasi-personal political biography. You are writing a professional political science paper (emphasis upon science), not a personal or ideological advocacy paper or blog, nor an interest group or political party platform or manifesto.

Your topic can be something that you have worked on in another class. However, your research paper must be an original work. If you try to peddle a paper you wrote in another class with some minor adjustments you will receive an F grade.

Research

The key to your topic selection, developing your thesis, and the entire paper for that matter is how well you are able to conduct research. The success or failure of your research paper hinges on your ability to effectively locate, read, critically analyze, and synthesize relevant information, scholarly articles and books, and expert knowledge on your topic. Research involves the ability to search for and select relevant information and studies on your topic. Your paper will primarily rely on secondary research (research already accomplished by social scientists and scholars) rather than primary research (research you conduct on your own).

In addition to conventional Google searches (Google Scholar), the ISU library contains numerous database search engines, scholarly journals, books, and government documents. These resources are identified online by accessing the ISU library web page and going to Library Resources. One can also visit the ISU library and get assistance from our research librarians. Feel free to contact Mr. Spencer Jardine, Assistant Professor of Library Instruction and Reference Librarian – Room 110; 282-5609; [email protected]

Literature Review

A literature review is a written summary of the most significant works published on a topic by recognized expert researchers and scholars. In the literature review you recreate the current debate on your topic and show what major ideas, theories, conclusions have been developed thus far. A good literature review is not an “annotated bibliography” – a list mechanically describing or summarizing one book or article after another. A good literature review is also not one sided. All topics and debates have more than one position or perspective on the issue in question. The variety of viewpoints, and empirical studies and results, needs to be reflected in a quality literature review.

Thesis Statement

Your literature review should culminate in a preliminary hypothesis or thesis statement that you want to confirm. A thesis is a formal proposition that requires a critical examination of all relevant evidence in order to be valid and proven. A thesis states directly and clearly that this is so “because” of X, Y, and Z (your main arguments and evidence). A thesis statement is typically a full paragraph that lays out in a few concise sentencing what your paper seeks to prove or demonstrate. This allows you to summarize your main reasons and arguments supporting your central thesis.

The Prospectus

Your prospectus is your formal, preliminary research paper proposal. It should consist of two proposals – your first and second choice. Each choice should include a brief description of your selected topic, your preliminary thesis or research question, and a short review of some of the literature you have already consulted and influenced your topic selection and preliminary thesis. Also include a short bibliography of sources. Your bibliography is the basis of your next assignment which is the literature review. The length of your prospectus should be 4 to 5 pages double spaced.

Arguments and Evidence

The main body of your paper consists of your main arguments and evidence in support of your thesis. Remember, a valid argument is built on the grounds of coherence, consistency, strong research, and relevant evidence. Use hard evidence (professional research and expert opinions) rather than soft evidence (personal anecdotal stories, blogs, propagandistic news outlets (i.e., Fox News, MSNBC, etc).

A strong argument acknowledges the existence of different views and must at time admit that some counterarguments cannot be simply refuted but must be accommodated. Conceding some points to your opposition is rational and a sign of intellectual maturity rather than weakness.

Strive to avoid the classic fallacies in making an argument – either/or reasoning, false analogy, personal or ad hominem attack, red herring, broad generalizations, sob story.

Conclusion

Your conclusion should briefly restate your thesis and your main arguments. An excellent paper uses the conclusion to discuss possibilities for further research, and/or the possible consequences or implications of one’s topic or thesis for the future (probabilities or predictions).

Oral Presentation

There will be a maximum of three formal presentations per class meeting. Students will present their findings to the class in a 20 minute formal presentation. Following the presentation 25 to 30 minutes will be allowed for questions, comments, and discussion.

In your presentation you want to tell your audience why you chose your topic; how the debate on your topic has been shaped by previous research (your literature review); your thesis; and your arguments and evidence in support of your thesis. Organization, professionalism, clarity, substance, and your responses to questions and comments will determine how well your presentation goes.

While most students do a power point presentation, it is not required. If you do a power point representation remember not to mechanically read everything on the slides to the class. We can read. Highlight the important points you want to make. If you do not do a power point presentation be sure to give everyone in class a copy of a short summary of your presentation so we can follow you with something in front of us to reference.

You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with the computer technology in the class room. Since we do not meet every week you can use one of the times we don’t meet to practice your presentation in our classroom.

Final Paper

The date for turning in the final draft of your research paper depends upon the date when you give your oral presentation. Please see the syllabus. Papers turned in late will receive a lower grade. Remember, your final paper draft should be polished. Organizationally it should follow the correct format – Title page, Abstract, Table of Contents, Introduction, Thesis, Literature, Body of Arguments and Evidence, Conclusions, Bibliography. Turning in a paper that is disorganized, sloppy, incorrectly formatted, has numerous grammatical mistakes, inaccurate or inadequate citations dooms your grade.