ALA | vol2_gordon

Write a research paper on one of the topics listed below. Your paper should be 2,000 words and include cover page and table of contents, an introduction, body and conclusion. Use at least three sources of information, both print and electronic, and include at least three quotations with correct citations and a bibliography. Your paper should include two points of view on your subject with evidence to support both viewpoints.

	Gays in the Military		Abortion
	Drug Abuse		Cloning
	The Vietnam War		Capital Punishment
	Gun Control		AIDS
	Sexual Harassment		Homelessness
	Environment		Eating Disorders

Figure 1. A Typical Research Assignment [Back to Article]

Stages	Task Initiation	Topic Selection	Prefocus Exploration	Focus Formulation	Information Collection	Search Closure	Starting Writing
Feelings	uncertainty	optimism	confusion, frustration, doubt	clarity	sense of direction/ confidence	relief	satisfaction/ dissatisfaction
Thoughts		ambiguity---------------------------->specificity

				increased interest----------------->
Actions	seeking relevant information----------------------------->seeking pertinent information

Figure 2. Kuhlthau Model of the Information Search Process (ISP) [Back to Article]

Write a paper of 2,000 words that tells the story of your investigation of a question or problem you are curious about. You will collect information from books and electronic sources that will help you focus your topic and you will collect data through interviews, questionnaires or content analysis that will be displayed and analyzed as evidence. The following questions will help you become authentic researchers:

What is research and how is it different from reporting?
What is a researchable question?
How do I do prepare a proposal for my research?
How can do we evaluate our own success as authentic researchers?
Where do I get information?
How do I get data from a primary source?
How do I display and analyze data?
How do I present my paper using a style sheet?
How do we edit and revise our papers using the writing process?
How can we evaluate the success of this teaching unit as authentic researchers?

The written work that you will submit in an appendix to your written paper will include:

Proposal
A journal documenting your progress
Your notes from information gathering
Your notes, tapes or videos from data collection
A rough draft of your paper

Figure 3. An Authentic Research Assignment [Back to Article]

	Disagree----------------------Agree
1. Timelines were reasonable.	1	2	3	4	5
2. Instructions were clear.	1	2	3	4	5
3. Library resources were adequate.	1	2	3	4	5
4. Grading system was fair.	1	2	3	4	5
5. Bibliography Charts were helpful.	1	2	3	4	5
6. Key word list was helpful.	1	2	3	4	5
7. Writing proposals was helpful	1	2	3	4	5
8. Forming a research question was helpful.	1	2	3	4	5
9. I felt well prepared to search for information.	1	2	3	4	5
10. I could get help when I needed it.	1	2	3	4	5
11. I liked using at least one primary method of data collection.	1	2	3	4	5
12. I liked using at least one method of analysis	1	2	3	4	5
What do you think?
13. What were the best aspects of this project?
14. What would you change?
15. What was the most difficult task you had? Why was it difficult?
16. How was this research assignment different from the way you have done research in the past?
17. What did you learn that will help you do your Extended Essay next year?
18. Do you think it was worth the class time allotted? Why?
OTHER COMMENTS

Figure 4. Student Questionnaire [Back to Article]

Research Questions	Data Collection Methods
How did students judge the unit? How would they change it?	a. Questionnaire administered by the librarian at the end of the unit (see figure 4). b. Observations of student behavior, comments during unit.
How did teachers judge the unit? How would they change it?	a. Content analysis of students' papers: teachers graded for content/form and librarian graded appendices. b. Observations and questionnaire results were shared in a meeting attended by English teachers of Grade 10, librarian, and principal.

Table 1. The Teachers' Plan for Action Research [Back to Article]

Questionnaire Items	1	2	3	4	5	NR*	% Disagree	% Agree

	Disagree ------------------ Agree
1. Timelines	4	11	24	21	4	1	37	63
2. Instructions	2	9	17	25	12	0	23	77
3. Library resources	5	7	17	25	11	0	25	75
4. Grading system	1	2	23	25	2	12	10	90
5. Bibliography Charts	4	8	11	21	21	0	22	78
6.Key Words	9	10	23	15	6	2	48	52
7. Proposals	5	7	23	21	9	0	29	71
8. Research question	3	1	11	30	20	0	7	93
9. Information search	2	17	12	29	4	1	37	63
10. Help	2	2	17	23	21	0	8	92
11. Data collection	3	10	27	21	4	0	34	66
12. Analysis	3	12	20	28	2	0	33	67

N=65 for ratings 1-5
N varies for each item in calculating percentage for disagree/agree since responses for ratings 1 and 2 and responses for 4 and 5 comprise N.
*NR= No response

Table 2. Summary of Data [Back to Article]

Criteria for Content	3–4 points	0–2 points
	( % )	( % )
1. Introduction	73	27
2. Main analysis	70	30
3. Supporting evidence	65	35
4. Conclusion	63	37

Criteria for Form
5. Organization	73	27
6. Use of language	61	39
	3 points	2 points	1 point
	( % )	( % )	( % )
7. Reference and layout	25	34	41
8. Mechanics of language	34	37	29