Homework answers / question archive / Mini Research Paper Assignment PSCI 1100B (2023) Mini Research Paper (To be completed in 2 stages 5%+20%) This is a formal academic paper assigned in two stages to facilitate student success

Mini Research Paper Assignment PSCI 1100B (2023) Mini Research Paper (To be completed in 2 stages 5%+20%) This is a formal academic paper assigned in two stages to facilitate student success

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Mini Research Paper Assignment

PSCI 1100B (2023)

Mini Research Paper (To be completed in 2 stages 5%+20%)

This is a formal academic paper assigned in two stages to facilitate student success.

The Research Paper is worth a total of 25% of your final grade. It is divided into the “Mini Research Paper Topic Selection and Annotated Bibliography” (5%) and the “Mini Research Paper” itself (20%).

 

Students are required to write a 1500-2000 word mini research paper (6-8 pages double spaced) excluding bibliography and references. Please use 12 point font with one inch margins.

To facilitate comments please submit both these assignments as Word files.

 

 

 

1. Mini Research Paper Topic Selection and Annotated Bibliography (5%)

Due on or before 11:59 pm Tuesday February 28  

 

This assignment is only worth 5% but it is important to complete it to make sure your paper is off to a good start. It will allow you to benefit from the advice and guidance of your TA in refining your research question and developing the final paper. See the section on Developing a Research question below.

 

This brief one page preliminary outline must be submitted through the Assignments activity on Brightspace.

 

The Mini Research Paper Topic Selection and Annotated Bibliography should include:

• The provisional title of your paper
• Which state (or states) you intend to research
• The main research question your paper will address (See the section on “Developing a research question” below)
  • This question will probably narrow and focus as you conduct your research.
• A “thesis statement” or “hypothesis” that answers your research question.
  • The thesis statement is the overarching argument answers your specific research question
  • This thesis may also evolve as you conduct your research.
• Details of how you intend to make this argument.
  • A preliminary list of sub arguments that contribute to your overarching argument.
  • Preliminary recognition of counter arguments and evidence that may undermine the persuasiveness of your main, overarching argument (and, if possible, how you will counter them)
  • What kinds of evidence you will use to support your arguments
• A preliminary list of sources that you will draw on to develop and support your argument.
  • This list will include at least three scholarly sources
  • A scholarly source is a piece of work written by a scholar and published in a recognized scholarly outlet such as a peer-reviewed journal or academic press.  Newspapers and all unregulated internet sources (such as blogs or Wikipedia) are, for the purposes of this assignment, not considered to be scholarly sources. You may also use other non scholarly sources but you must use at least three scholarly sources. 

 

*Please note, this initial assignment is a starting point and not a contract. It is expected to develop and change as you work on the paper.

 

 

2. Final Individual Mini Research Paper (20%)

Due on or before 11:59 pm Tuesday March 28

 

Students are required to write 1500-2000 word mini research paper (6-8 pages double spaced) excluding bibliography and references. Please use 12 point font with one inch margins.

 

 

The content of your paper should follow the following structure:

• In a paragraph or two highlight/discuss the importance of your topic/question.
• State your research question. What is it about this topic that you want to investigate?
• State your argument (“thesis statement”, “hypothesis”) as it pertains to the research question.
• Conduct an analysis. Present your evidence. Make your argument. Briefly address and evaluate counter arguments.
• Bring together conclusions.
• Complete reference list

 

 

You are expected to use at least three scholarly or academic sources (in addition to the course resources and any other sources) for this paper.  Use a recognized style for citations and references. I suggest APA in text citation format. A style guide will be posted on the course Brightspace page. Don’t forget page numbers!

 

Evaluation

 

Papers will be evaluated on form (grammar, syntax, and presentation), content (use of relevant material), and analysis (nuance, balance, and critical assessment).

 

Your main task is to communicate the following to the reader of your paper:

 

• that you are able to identify and understand the key elements of the question
• that you can identify and focus on one or two critical components of the question to research in a systematic fashion
• that you can effectively organize and structure your paper
• that you can use scholarly sources in an appropriate manner
• that you can articulate and develop an argument
• that you can support your argument by using evidence in a clear and systematic manner

 

Your paper will be marked against how well you meet the following criteria:

 

• the clarity and sophistication of your evaluation
• the clarity and sophistication of your argument
• the ability to identify and use key concepts
• the organization and structure of the paper
• the range and use of sources
• the adequacy of syntax, grammar and spelling

 

Arriving at an appropriate mark is an amalgam of how well you meet all of these criteria.

 

 

Developing a Research Question

 

Starting Question:

 

“Does the world need more democracy? If so, why? If not, why not?”

 

Please note this larger question is only the starting point for the process of developing a research question. Your research question will focus on a part of this larger question.

 

Think of developing a research question as a “nesting” or narrowing process. To develop your research question narrow your focus according to your interests and also keeping in mind the practical realities of writing this relatively short paper. Choose the state you research carefully. This choice will likely shape your research question just as the research question will likely shape which state you choose to explore.

 

 

Suggested general method to help develop your research question:

 

 

1. To get started choose a state that will provide the focal point for your paper. They may be democratic, partially democratic, newly democratizing, non-democratic, or a failed states. This will be your case study. You may choose to focus on a contemporary case study or a historical case. Choose your state carefully. 
2. Try to select a case study that interests you and one that allows you to apply what we are learning in class to explore democracy and the process of democratization in greater depth. 

 

3. Decide which definition of democracy you will be using in this paper. (Don’t forget to make this clear to the reader when you write the final paper.) Consider how the definition you choose will affect your research and arguments.

 

4. Start developing your research question.

For example consider:

• Is the state in your case study democratic, newly democratizing, partially democratic, or non-democratic?
• In your view should this state be more democratic? Why? Why not?
• What are the benefits of democratization for this state? What are the dangers?
• What conditions support democracy and democratization in this state? What are the obstacles to achieving democracy?
• What are the challenges of getting and keeping a democratic system?
• How does this apply to your case study?
• What lesson(s) about democracy and the processes of democratization can be learned from your case study?

 

5. Think about what recommendations you would make with respect to the future of democracy and democratization in this state based on what you have learned about democracy in this course and how this applies to the state in your case study.

 

6. Finally think about how your findings apply to the larger question “Does the world need more democracy?”  

 

 

*Remember to define your terms especially if their definitions are contested.  Know differences, be familiar with terms, and know what your definition is. When in doubt define terms briefly to let reader know you are aware of debates and clarify which definition you are using.  

 

 

Please Note

 

It is highly advisable to plan out your Research Paper. Allocate time to undertake a suitable amount of research, organize your thoughts, establish a Research Paper Outline, write a first draft, and then review and redraft the text.  Remember that good Research Papers require advance preparation and planning; last minute creations can be ’inspired’, but they often lack rigour and attention to detail.

 

There will be a penalty for late papers. Extensions can only be granted by the instructor and, with few exceptions, are granted only for documented medical reasons. Late assignments will be deducted one letter grade category per calendar day. For example, a B paper that is one day late will be reduced to a B-. Students are strongly encouraged to organize their time to avoid late penalties! Aim to have your paper complete before the deadline so you can resolve any technical problems. Remember to back up your work and keep a copy for your records.