Basic Research Methods: Starting your Research

Projects

Professor Donna Gitter

IDH 4001H (Seminar 4): Shaping the Future of New York City, Spring 2013

ITF: Amanda Favia

Research PaperWhat it is:

A research paper is the culmination of an involved process of research, critical thinking, source evaluation, organization, and composition.

A research paper draws on what others have to say about a topic and engages the sources in order to thoughtfully offer a unique perspective on the issue at hand.

Research PaperWhat it is:

A research paper is a piece of analytical writing, an essay in which you survey what experts know or have said about a topic and then compare or synthesize their thoughts with your own insights.

Analytical Research Papers:

The analytical research paper often begins by asking a question (a.k.a. a research question).

Such a paper is often an exercise in exploration and evaluation.

It is NOT simply an opinion piece or an expository essay consisting solely of one's interpretation of a text .

Research Paper What it is NOT:

Choosing a Topic: Research Question

Question & answer something you want to share

Show others that it’s something worth sharing & knowing

Guides your research

Research Question

When you find a topic that seems interesting, write down everything you already know about it.

Then ask:

- Why is this subject significant?

- Who or what is affected by it?

- Can I break this topic down into smaller parts?

- Can I find scholarly research about this topic?

Developing your Research Question:TQS Method

Topic: I am working on the topic of…

Question: because I want to find out…

Significance: so that I can help others understand…

TQS Method & Your Research Project

Use each assignment to help develop and inform your research question

Example: Assignment 1 Questions: reflect, synthesize & develop

e.g., What kinds of activities are happening here? AND Does the institution seem to function well for its intended purpose?

TQS Method & Narrowing your Topic

A common mistake is to pick a topic that is too broad

Selecting a topic that’s too large leads to vague generalizations and clichéd ideas

Narrow your topic so you can cover it adequately

TQS Method & Narrowing your Topic:

Example: Topic: Barclays Center Question: “How does the Barclays Center

impact the local economy of downtown Brooklyn?”

Narrowing your Topic:

Next, look for resources which provide background information—sources can help narrow the topic.

Use the "5 Ws" of journalism to limit your topic based on the background information you have found.

Who? What? Where? When? Why?

Narrowing the Topic:

Another way to narrow your topic is to consider the subject through the framework of a certain time, place, or population.

Narrowing the Topic:

Example: Barclays Center’s impact on the economy(1) narrow that topic by limiting your research to a certain

time, such as the 2010-2012

(2) further limit that to the local economy of downtown Brooklyn

(3) narrow the general “economy” to tourism

(4) narrow it to a particular population, such as families, or families with young children, or union members

(5) etc…

It is NOT simply an opinion piece or an expository essay consisting solely of one's interpretation of a text

So, you need an argument for your topic

Remember what a research paper is NOT

CORE of an Argument

Claim: What’s the answer to your question?

Reason: Why should I believe that?

Evidence: How do you know that?

Counter-Arguments

Acknowledgement and Response: But what about this other view?

Arguments &Developing your Topic

As you hone in on your argument, you can also help this to focus/guide your research

Concluding Remarks

Keep in mind that research topics are often fluid and dictated more by your ongoing research than by the original chosen topic.

Don’t be afraid to make changes!

Concluding Remarks

Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

Email: amanda.favia@macaulay.cuny.edu

Office Hours:

On-Campus: Tuesdays,11-3pm, 17 Lexington

Ave, Weinstein Honors Lounge, Room 903

Online: Wednesday, 8pm-10pm via gchat

Resources

Turabian, Chapter 1 “What Researchers Do”

Purdue University Online Writing Lab

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/03/

UNC Writing Center

http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/index.html

Resources

Texas A & M University Writing Center

http://writingcenter.tamu.edu/2005/how-to/planning-drafting/selecting-a-topic/

Southwestern University Library Center

http://www.southwestern.edu/library/research-support/refining-topic.html

Webster University Writing Center

http://www.webster.edu/writingcenter/tips/research.shtml