Key Terms
Homework question
Has a single, definite answer you can look up in one reference source. Fast.
Research question
Requires gathering information from multiple sources AND building the answer from what you find. The answer doesn't exis
EXAMPLE
"Does this city have an airport?" = homework question. "What's the best way to get there?" = research question.
RESEARCH WRITING DEFINED
Sharing the answer to your research question, the evidence it's based on, the sources used, and your own reasoning.
Example of narrowing
General: education policy Narrowed: technology in classrooms Specific: how tablets affect reading comprehension in K-5 s
ANALYTICAL
You investigate and present analysis. You are not arguing for a position against opponents; you are examining your topic
ARGUMENTATIVE
You take a position on a debatable question. You review opposing arguments AND explain why yours is stronger.
PLANNING NOTE
A college research paper can require 10-14 weeks. Shorter time frames still require the same steps; just compressed.
Four-step process to build your research question
1. Explore possibilities: list aspects of your narrowed topic.
KEY TERMS
The essential words that will appear frequently in relevant sources. Strip away qualifiers and non-essential words.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Closest to the original event or research. Diaries, interviews, speeches, photographs, original experiments, first-hand
SECONDARY SOURCES
Analyze, review, or summarize primary sources. Journal articles, biographies, books, dissertations.
TERTIARY SOURCES
Synthesize information from other sources. Encyclopedias, dictionaries, chronologies.
Peer-review process flow
Author submits -> Editor evaluates -> Sent to anonymous expert reviewers -> Reviewers critique -> Editor decides (reject
Structure of a standard scholarly article
1. Abstract: one-paragraph summary of purpose, methods, findings, significance.