signment’s schedule and instructions
This final paper in this course breaks down to three segments and counts for a total of 55
percent (55%) of the overall grade for this course, so you should be prepared to invest a
significant effort in researching and writing it.
The research paper assignment affords you the opportunity to dig deeply into a topic of
relevance to our course, to analyze the issue, and to communicate your analysis in writing.
Your assignment is as follows:
1. First step is to research the nature of your topic and write a short, 1-2 page paper that
describes your topic and research question and sources of information. Due by
October 13th. (10%)
2. The second step includes a full research proposal. This step includes the corrected first
step, title, short abstract, rough outline, and annotated bibliography. Due by November
12th. (15%)
3. Submit a final version at the end of the course Due by December 15th. (30%). NOTE:
this is almost the end of the exam period. I have my own deadline to submit your
grades so this date is the absolute final day to submit your final paper (and no, not
even a pandemic can change that!). Saying that, feel free to submit it as early as you
wish / can.
The final paper must include bibliography. No need for an annotated bibliography. See
other FAQ at the end of this document.
The goal of this three-step process is not to make unnecessary work for you, but rather, to
guide you through the process of developing and refining your paper.
Instructions in details
1. Part one
Good small-scale papers are built around one or two questions. You can find subjects and
ideas in any textbook as well as review papers and our course-reading list and classes. The
most common error made by students in choosing a subject for a term paper is to choose one
that is too general and too big to cover. Try to narrow your research question as much as
possible; this will make the rest of it much easier. If needs be, it always easier to expand.
Feel free to define a topic appropriate to yourself, your interests, and your discipline if
possible (sociological, biological, psychological, or even business aspects of corrections.
Once you have chosen a topic, you should go to the library, search resources, and work on
preliminary research question.
Write a brief paper proposal in which you do the following:
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1. First, identify the specific subject that your paper will address.
2. Second, write your research question/s. a good research question is one that you can
write in one short sentence.
3. Third, identify the sources of information that you will examine to evaluate the
validity of your hypothesis.
2. Part two
Based on the first step develop the following:
Title – the title should represent the narrow topic of your paper, what it is about (and so, what
it is not).
Short abstract – a very short paragraph describing your paper.
Outline* – based on your proposal, proceed to researching and writing the paper outline. A
good paper is one that is built around a clear structure, so you should outline the main points
of each part of your paper before you start writing. a very good, clear, and simple explanation
of the outline concept can be found here: https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/outline . A
technical view of how an outline should look like can be found here:
https://rasmussen.libanswers.com/faq/32339 . I strongly suggest spending the 10-15 minutes
to go through those pages.
Annotated bibliography*- Finding sources of materials:
Limit your sources to those available on the campus or online and to those materials, which
are not more than 20 years old, unless you are examining older writings from a historical
point of view.
Based on your outline, examine your sources, locate the useful material, and then make good
notes of it, including quotes and information for footnotes. You do not want to have to go
back to these sources again. In other words: get facts, opinions, research methods, and
conclusions and above all – do not be afraid to criticize them and make your point!
You do not need to submit these notes as part of the annotated bibliography, the notes purpose
is to help you in the writing process.
You do have to submit your list of resources and in a very short paragraph explain the
contribution of this source to your paper.
*Examples below
**There are many software packages, some are free or under university license that can be of great help in
organizing bibliography (Endnote, RefWorks, Bookend, Papers, Zotero).
3. Final stage
Based on previous stages, write your paper, and produce a final version (8 – 12 pages) which
include YOUR analysis and conclusions. When you are done, upload your paper to
Brightspace.
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FAQ (based on endless emails over the years):
1. Can’t find a topic? contact me. But before you do that, go over the reading list, search
correction or any other relevant keyword in the library data-bases (web of science and
sociological abstract), look at textbooks (few in the library), open any “C” news
channel (CBC, CBS, CTV, CNN, ABC…) or news website and search for corrections
(for ideas google will do the work too). If you’re not sure, then contact me.
2. Is this topic good enough? Yes! As long as you can connect it to the course material.
3. Why don’t you give us the topics? You try to read 35 papers on the same topic! Try to
find something that you find interesting.
4. Can I change the topic in the middle? Yes. But be smart and choose a good topic in the
first stage. It will save you plenty of time and work.
5. Can I change / add / remove sources once I submit the annotated bibliography? Yes! If
you find a better source or need to tweak your research question you will have to
change your sources and that is fine. No need to resubmit the annotated bibliography.
6. Do I need to address your comments? Not necessarily. In most cases these are only
suggestions to help you go in the right direction.
7. Citation format? APA! for help on this look here:
https://cdn.dal.ca/content/dam/dalhousie/pdf/library/Style_Guides/apa_style6.pdf
8. Fonts? Use a normal one and not something like this. Size 12 is good. Line space
does not matter as I read it electronically.
9. How long? 8-12 pages. I’m more interested in what you write and what you have to
say then in counting words and pages (don’t play games of line space, font size,
margins, etc.). saying that, 5 pages paper probably won’t be a good paper, 20 pages
will be ignored. Anything in between is acceptable.
10. How many sources? If you’ll do parts 1 through 3 properly that won’t be a problem.
Not good enough? At least four (4) academic sources.
11. Can I use non-academic sources (various websites, blogs, reports, podcasts)? Yes, as
long as you have those 4 academic sources and you are aware of the limitations of
non-academic sources (biased, creditability, etc.).
12. In the final paper there is no need for annotated bibliography (only the proper
reference list).
13. File type? If you want my comments submit it as PDF (system limitations – sorry).
14. My dog ate my paper…. I believe you as my dog ate a student paper couple of years
ago. But seriously, write it on a computer. No hard copies acceptable! Only through
Brightspace.
15. Any other questions? Contact me.
16. Can I get an extension? Unless you have a very good reason and asked for it in
advance the answer is NO! however, I will ignore the fact that you 24 hours late. After
that, late policy is in effect from the due date.
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Outline example
Paper Topic:____________________________________________________
I. Introduction
Typically an introduction includes a sentence or two that defines the topic (tells the reader why
the topic is important or of interest), provides a context and/or some background on the topic,
and a working thesis.
___________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Thesis Statement (Usually the last sentence(s) in the introduction):
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
II. Body (A paper may have a few or many main points; decide how many your paper will need) Main
Point 1:_________________________________________________________
Examples/Details/Explanations:
a. ______________________________________________________________________ b.
______________________________________________________________________ c.
______________________________________________________________________
Main Point 2: __________++________________________________________________
Examples/Details/Explanations:
a. ______________________________________________________________________ b.
______________________________________________________________________ c.
______________________________________________________________________
Main Point 3:______________________________________________________________
Examples/Details/Explanations:
a. ______________________________________________________________________ b.
______________________________________________________________________ c.
______________________________________________________________________
III. Conclusion
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Reworded Thesis (Usually found near the beginning of the conclusion):
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Other Ideas to Conclude: