RESEARCH REPORT/TERM PAPER

DEFINITION
● A piece of academic writing that asks students to locate information about a topic,
take a stand on that topic and provide support for that stand

Choosing and limiting a topic

● List five topics(social issues) that you would consider for a term paper.
● Where would you find information about each topic?
● Which one would be the easiest for you to write about?
● Could you find enough information about it for a four-page report?
● Research- Do some preliminary research on the topic.
● Choose specific focus- List all potential subtopics or aspects.
● Craft a title- Your title should reflect the specific aspect of the social issue you have
chosen to explore

Titles
● The impacts of Income on Educational Attainment
● Exploring Gender Discrimination in the Workplace
● Examining the Burden of Pollution on Minority Communities
● Exploring Root Causes of Homelessness
● Examining Systemic Bias and Inequality in

Writing the Introduction

● Provides background information on the topic.
● States the purpose of the paper and its significance.
● Presents the thesis statement or the main argument of the paper.

Writing the Body

● Each paragraph should focus on a single main point or argument related to the thesis
statement.
● Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea.
● Support each point with evidence from scholarly sources, such as research studies,
academic articles or books.

Writing the Conclusion

● Summarizes the main points discussed in the paper.
● Restates the thesis statement and its implications.
● May suggest areas for further research or implications of the findings.

RESEARCH
● Research is defined as a systematic and scientific process to answer a question about
facts and the relationship between facts. It can also be defined as an activity involved in
seeking an answer to unanswered questions. It seeks to generate an answer to the
problems as well as suggesting additional questions in need of further inquiry.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
● Basic Research: Also known as pure or fundamental research, it aims to expand
knowledge and understanding of a particular field without any immediate practical
application. Basic research is often conducted in academic and scientific settings to
explore theoretical concepts and phenomena.
● Applied Research: Applied research focuses on solving practical problems or
addressing specific issues. It aims to provide practical solutions, improve processes, or
develop new technologies that can be implemented in real-world contexts. Applied
research often builds upon the findings of basic research.
TYPES OF APPLIED RESEARCH
● Action Research
● Evaluation Research
● Diagnostic Research
● Policy Research
● Predictive Research

● Quantitative Research: Quantitative research involves the collection and analysis of

numerical data. It follows a structured approach and relies on statistical methods to
generalize and draw conclusions from the data. Surveys, experiments, and statistical
analyses are common techniques used in quantitative research.
● Qualitative Research: Qualitative research aims to understand the underlying
reasons, motivations, and meanings behind human behavior. It involves collecting non-
numerical data such as interviews, observations, and textual analysis. Qualitative
research provides in-depth insights and is often used to explore complex social and
behavioral phenomena
● Experimental Research: Experimental research involves the manipulation and control
of variables to establish cause-and-effect relationships. Researchers randomly assign
participants to different groups, apply interventions or treatments, and measure the
outcomes. This type of research is common in scientific and medical studies.
● Observational Research: Observational research involves observing and
documenting phenomena without intervening or manipulating variables. Researchers
carefully observe subjects in their natural environments or controlled settings and
record data. This type of research is often used in social sciences, anthropology, and
psychology.
● Cross-sectional Research: Cross-sectional research collects data at a specific point
in time to gain a snapshot of a population or phenomenon. It does not involve following
subjects over an extended period. Cross-sectional studies are useful for examining
relationships, prevalence, and characteristics of a particular group.
● Longitudinal Research: Longitudinal research involves studying subjects or
phenomena over an extended period. Researchers collect data at multiple points in
time to observe changes, development, or trends over the course of the study.
Longitudinal research allows for the analysis of patterns and causal relationships.

PARTS OF A RESEARCH PAPER

COMPONENTS
 ● Title: The title succinctly summarizes the main focus of the research study and provides
a glimpse into the topic under investigation.
● Abstract: The abstract is a concise summary of the research project. It highlights the
purpose, methods, findings, and conclusions of the study, allowing readers to quickly
grasp the essence of the research.
● Introduction: The introduction sets the stage for the research by providing background
information, context, and rationale for the study. It outlines the research problem,
research questions or objectives, and the significance of the research topic.
● Literature Review: The literature review provides a comprehensive overview and critical
analysis of existing research, theories, and scholarly works related to the research topic.
It identifies gaps, conflicts, or areas where further investigation is needed and
establishes the theoretical framework for the study.
● Methodology: The methodology describes the research design, procedures, and
methods employed to address the research questions or objectives. It includes details
on the research approach (quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods), data collection
methods, sampling strategy, instrumentation, and data analysis techniques.
● Results: The results section presents the findings derived from the analysis of the
collected data. It typically includes statistical summaries, qualitative observations,
graphs, tables, or other means of presenting the results. The results should be clear,
objective, and directly linked to the research questions or hypotheses.
● Discussion: The discussion section interprets and analyzes the results in light of the
research objectives and relevant literature. It provides an explanation of the findings,
compares them with previous research, identifies patterns or trends, and discusses their
implications. The discussion section may also address limitations, suggest areas for
future research, and offer concluding remarks.
● Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the key findings of the study and restates their
significance in relation to the research questions or objectives. It may also provide
recommendations based on the results and offer a broader perspective on the
implications of the research.
● References: The references section lists all the sources cited in the research study,
following a specific citation style (such as APA, MLA, or Chicago style). It ensures proper
acknowledgment of the work of others and allows readers to access the cited sources
for further reading.

TECHNICAL TERMS USED IN RESEARCH

● Hypothesis: A testable statement or prediction about the relationship between variables

in a study. It serves as a tentative explanation or proposition that guides research.
● Variable: Any measurable or observable characteristic or factor that can vary or change
in a study. Variables can be independent (manipulated or controlled by the researcher)
or dependent (measured or observed as outcomes).
● Control Group: In experimental research, a control group is a group of participants who
do not receive the experimental treatment or intervention. It serves as a baseline for
comparison to assess the impact of the treatment.
● Randomization: The process of assigning participants or subjects to different groups or
conditions randomly. Randomization helps minimize bias and ensure that each
participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any group.
● Sample: A subset of the population being studied. Researchers often select a sample to
gather data and make inferences about the larger population. The sample should be
representative and reflect the characteristics of the population.
● Population: The entire group of individuals, objects, or events that the researcher
wishes to study and generalize findings to. The population should be clearly defined to
make accurate inferences.
● Validity: Refers to the extent to which a study measures what it intends to measure or
the accuracy of the results. Validity can be assessed in different ways, such as content
validity, construct validity, and external validity.
● Reliability: The consistency or stability of measurement or findings. A reliable study
produces consistent results when the same measurement is repeated under similar
conditions.
● Data Collection: The process of gathering information or data for research purposes.
Data can be collected through various methods, including surveys, interviews,
observations, experiments, and document analysis.
● Data Analysis: The process of organizing, inspecting, interpreting, and drawing
conclusions from collected data. Statistical analysis, qualitative analysis, or a
combination of both may be used depending on the nature of the data.
● Ethical Considerations: Research ethics involves ensuring the rights, safety, and well-
being of participants. Ethical considerations encompass obtaining informed consent,
protecting confidentiality, minimizing harm, and disclosing any conflicts of interest.
● Peer Review: The evaluation of research manuscripts by experts in the same field to
assess the quality, validity, and contribution of the study. Peer review is a crucial step in
ensuring the integrity and credibility of research.