Requirements:
The research paper should propose a solution to a real problem.
The solution for the problem should be debatable–meaning there must be more than one possible solution to the problem, and people or specific groups disagree on how to best solve the problem.
The research topic cannot include subjects pertaining to: Covid-19, Covid-19 vaccines, abortion, gun control, legalizing marijuana, vaccines, capital punishment, or the spiritual/supernatural.
The research paper must be a total of SIX pages in length. This excludes the list of works cited. Research papers that do not fulfill the page requirement will receive a zero.
The research paper must Include EIGHT total sources. FOUR of the eight sources must be PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES.
The research paper must be well organized, follow a clear outline, and include: an interesting/engaging introduction, a specific thesis statement listing the claims/reasons, transitions, topic sentences reflecting the main claims/reasons listed in the thesis, evidence (research), analysis, and a satisfactory conclusion.
The research paper must include both claims and counter claims with refutations and concessions when necessary.
Students submitting a research paper must schedule and attend an appointment (online or in person) with a Library Research Specialist and must also schedule and attend an appointment (online or in person) with UNA’s Writing Center for Academic Excellence.
The research paper should be written in Times New Roman, 12 pt, double spaced, and in MLA format. It must integrate sources, cite them properly with in-text citations, and include a works cited page listing sources.
The following pages from The P.I.E.R. Method will help you with important editing and revising information, such as when to capitalize a title or use italics; how to punctuate quotations; types of major errors and how to correct them. The P.I.E.R. Method: Editing and The P.I.E.R. Method: Revising
Required Use of Sources:
The research paper must have a minimum of 8 total sources.
Must use 4 peer reviewed journal articles
Must use primary and secondary sources
May use online or print newspaper articles, journal articles, databases, books, e-books, and carefully evaluated websites: .edu and .gov are considered more reliable than .com or .org
May not use sources from a .com, unless carefully evaluated first
May not use Wikipedia entries, online encyclopedias, or religious texts as sources
