Research Project
FYCS
Fall 2014
Description
As we begin to enter our research unit, our research project will reflect what we have learned from our common text, Strange As This Weather Has Been. You will be asked to compose several components of this research project in a timely fashion, including: a research proposal, a formal outline, a collection of sources, and finally, the culmination of an annotated bibliography of your findings with a personal reflection of your research findings and process.
For this project, you will identify and research a problem that impacts the people of the Appalachian region or the surrounding area or a problem related to this area and people. This issue most likely will be linked to an environmental issue of some sort. You may want to investigate a problem that is impacting not only the people of the Appalachian region, but as it affects those nationwide. Either way, your topic is most likely of great concern to these people and others, as well as perhaps government officials.
You must formally submit a proposal first of what you plan to research to your professor before getting too far into your research process. Remember, the more specific the problem or issue you identify, the more specific research you will find on it. Too general, generic research projects will not receive full points. Think of yourself as an investigative reporter, seeking to argue for the truth on a subject. You are seeking to argue that a certain problem or issue exists, and investigate what the causes are of this particular occurrence.
Every draft and final project will need to be submitted towww.turnitin.com for the final copy to receive a grade.
Use your preliminary research skills and your work with you peers to select their own topic. You cannot just pick a focus, such “the environment in Appalachia.” Instead, you must develop a research question that requires you to both gather information and develop an argument.
Formal Proposal: Each student will submit a formal proposal, which includes an introductory statement on the goals of your project, a discussion on how you will conduct your research (the key question and what you need to investigate), and a discussion on why this topic is important for the class’s understanding.
Annotated Bibliography:
Your Annotated Bibliography must be submitted in MLA format. (We will go over this again in class). Each Annotated Bibliography must include eight sources that you will annotate for your final project. Only three of the eight sources can be websites; the rest must be scholarly academic sources; this means you will find them through databases and library catalogs. Your goal should be to find the most credible, reliable sources as possible.
For each source, you must give the citation, summarize the source in a few sentences, argue whether you agree or disagree with the source and why in two sentences, and then state whether or not you think you will use the source for your paper. Further descriptions of annotated bibliographies will be handed out to the class.
Your research reflection paper
Remember that you must have a specific title that describes the focus and intentions of your paper. As you know, everything in this class must be submitted in Times New Roman 12-pt. font and double-spaced. Additionally, you must format your paper and citations according to the MLA guidelines and remember to staple your paper!
Be sure to avoid simply summarizing ideas or your experiences. Instead craft an exploratory, focused discussion of your thesis, and provide examples, and analysis. Above all, remember that I am interested in your evaluation of the research in this essay based on your findings
You must submit the draft and the final copy to receive a grade for this paper. Additionally, you are expected to make both global and local revisions to the paper, and to carefully proofread the paper. During Class Research and Group Work days, you will be evaluated on your contributions, including whether you brought your sources in, whether you participated, how much of the draft you have prepared, and whether you are working well with your group.
Please follow the appropriate due dates for the research project. Failure to hand any of these portions in will result in a grade deduction. Take advantage of the time given in class to work on your project.
Outline: to Turnitin by November 4
A list of Sources Submitted for Approval by: November 6
Work in Class Days: November 4th, November 13, November 20
Rough draft of Annotated Bibliography:November 18 (Turnitin)
Final Complete Project with Reflective Cover Letter on the research process: December 2 to Turnitin
