Research Paper

2

Paper 3 Guidelines & Grading Rubric (100 points)

If you did not get full points for your research question on the previous assignment, then you need to revise your research question. You must get your research question approved before you submit this paper. This paper is based off of your proposed research question, thus, it is essential that it is an acceptable question.

This paper has three components: 1) Introduction, 2) Literature Review, and 3) Rationale and Research Question.

Introduction

The introduction should be three paragraphs.

Paragraph one should paraphrase a credible statistic that shows that this is an important area of study. This statistic does not have to come from a scholarly journal source. Be sure to be specific and cite the source.

Paragraph two should summarize the research question you are going to present at the end of the literature review.

Paragraph three should preview the sections of the literature review. The first section of the literature review will examine research related to ______ (independent variable). The second section of the literature review will examine research related to ___________ (dependent variable). Third, a rationale will be presented, along with a research question.

Literature Review

You will have two sub-sections here (one for research related to your independent variable, and one for research related to your dependent variable).

At the beginning of each section you should state the conceptual definition for the variable (paraphrase and cite source). The conceptual definition can be a part of the first paragraph (state this, then the summary statement, then the specific findings).

Start each paragraph with a summary statement about what we know about past research, “Past research indicates _____ about the independent variable.” Then go on to summarize (and cite) specific findings from past research that support that statement.

Each paragraph should clearly cite findings that are interrelated from two different sources.

Then you should have five paragraphs in each sub-section (with each paragraph being about a half of a page).

Each section (IV and DV) should summarize findings from five different sources. The sources you cite in the IV section should be different sources from the ones cited in the DV section. You need to cite a total of ten sources overall in the literature review section.

Rationale and Research Question

In the rationale section you will present an argument (supported by citation of specific findings) as to why the two variables in your research question are likely related.

The rationale should incorporate three paragraphs.

In the first paragraph you should discuss how the IV has been related to similar variable (similar to the DV) in past research, and/or related to other variables that have been found to be related to the DV.

In the second paragraph you should discuss how the DV has been related to similar variables to the IV in past research, and/or related to other variables that have been found to be related to the IV.

In the third paragraph you should state that based on the above evidence, that it is likely that the IV and DV (in your RQ) are related, and that this should be tested.

The first two paragraphs should be about half a page. The final paragraph can be relatively short. You do not need to cite new sources for this section. In this section you are citing findings that you have already explained in the literature review section.

At the end of your rationale you should state your RQ.

Sources/Page Length/ Formatting

In this paper you need to cite 10 communication research articles (conference papers or published studies). The paper should be a minimum of 4 1/2 pages double spaced, Times New Roman, 12 Point Font (not including your reference list pages). The introduction should be a half page (minimum), the literature review should be 2 ½ pages (minimum), and the rationale should be 1 ½ pages (minimum).

You should use third-person throughout this paper. Do not reference yourself, and/or use I.

You may not use any quotes in this paper.

Grading Rubric- Paper 3 Name: _____________________________________

Introduction (10 points)	Cites Credible Statistic (4 Pts.) Previews the RQ (3 Pts) Previews Paper Sections (3 Pts)
Literature Review (40 points)	Section 1: (20 Pts Total , Each 4 Pts) Section begins with a paraphrased conceptual definition for variable (and citation) Each paragraph begins with a summary statement Each paragraph clearly discusses research findings Each paragraph summarizes and relates findings from two different studies Section summarizes findings from five different sources and there are five paragraphs Section 2: (20 Pts Total , Each 4 Pts) Section begins with a paraphrased conceptual definition for variable (and citation) Each paragraph begins with a summary statement Each paragraph clearly discusses research findings Each paragraph summarizes and relates findings from two different studies Section summarizes findings from five different sources and there are five paragraphs
Rationale (40 points)	The evidence and warrant for paragraph 1 are clearly stated (17.5 points) The evidence and warrant for paragraph 2 are clearly stated (17.5 points) Paragraph 3 is clearly written (5 points)
APA Style & References (10 points)	Correctly Cite Sources in-text (5 points) Correctly Cite Sources on Reference list (5 points)
Total Points	100

*Points will be deducted for not meeting assignment guidelines including but not limited to, paper length and number/type of references.