THE THESIS STATEMENT: ADULT LEARNERS SHOULD SECURE MENTORS IN ORDER TO FURTHER THEIR EDUCATIONAL, PERSONAL, AND PROFESSIONAL GOALS. Draft Research Paper Attached Files: Research Paper Guidelines 3-19-
Research Paper Guidelines
Overview
Throughout the course, students will develop a research paper on a particular theory or concept within the field of adult learning. Approved thesis statements are provided below. The goal is to develop critical thinking and research skills. The critical mind considers possibilities beyond the superficial. In this sense, critical does not mean negative. Instead, it refers to the important and "critical" aspects that need to be evaluated.
Stages and Guidelines
“Writing is thinking. To write well is to think clearly. That is why it’s so hard.”
-David McCullough
Students will develop a research paper which will be constructed and delivered in five stages throughout the course of the term as follows:
Thesis Statement Selection
Thinking Critically About Sources
Outline with Annotated Sources
Draft of Research Paper
Research Paper
Thesis Statement Selection (due in Module 1)
(10 pts.)
Students are expected to select a thesis from the list below and to support their argument in a clear manner with reasons and evidence from scholarly sources in the research paper that will be produced later in the course.
Thesis Statement Options:
Adult learners benefit from utilizing a hands-on approach when learning a new theory or concept.
Adult learners should secure mentors in order to further their educational, personal, and professional goals.
Three suppositions from Knowles’ andragogy model can be applied to criminal justice professionals to encourage learning and growth for the adult learner: readiness to learn, problem-centered learning, and motivation to learn.
Three suppositions from Knowles’ andragogy model can be applied to nursing professionals to encourage learning and growth for the adult learner: readiness to learn, problem-centered learning, and motivation to learn.
Three suppositions from Knowles’ andragogy model can be applied to _______ (choose your professional area) to encourage learning and growth for the adult learner: readiness to learn, problem-centered learning, and motivation to learn.
Knowles’ andragogy model can be applied to nursing professionals to encourage learning and growth for the adult learner.
Although self-directed learning has several positive outcomes for adult learners, it also poses challenges that could cause some adult learners to be unsuccessful students or professionals.
The success of adult learners is linked to their level of self-efficacy as learners.
Embracing lifelong learning is imperative for employees to remain valuable, productive members of a technology-driven society.
Lifelong learning is the most effective adult learning theory because it produces cognitive, economic, health, and social benefits.
Nurses must embrace lifelong learning to remain productive and relevant.
As new technologies are created, new diagnoses/treatments are discovered, and new evidence-based practices are published, nurses must embrace lifelong learning to remain productive and relevant.
Lifelong learning is essential to bedside nursing to provide safe and effective care.
Lifelong learning is essential to bedside nursing to provide safe and effective care, to be a productive member of an inter-disciplinary healthcare team, and to prevent career burnout.
Adult learners who continue lifelong learning will afford themselves with more opportunities for growth within their careers.
Students who would like to develop their own thesis statement on a topic within the field of adult learning may do so with the instructor’s permission. Consider the following tips. According to our Hacker and Sommers text, once writers have examined a variety of sources and perspectives pertaining to the topic, they are ready to develop a thesis statement—a one-sentence statement of the central idea that will be explored and developed in the paper. Hacker and Sommers also stress the importance of the thesis taking a position that can be explained and supported. It should not, however, be merely a fact or a description.
The thesis also should strike the right scope to match the assignment, in this case a 3-5 page research paper that is an analytical paper. Think of the story “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” Finding the right porridge, the right chair, and the right bed is Goldilocks’ quest. In writing the research paper, deciding upon a thesis statement that is not too big or cumbersome and not too narrow in scope, but is just large enough to allow the writer to address the topic fully and competently. It’s the writer’s Northern Star that keeps him/her headed to the goal. The statement can be altered once the writer begins researching the topic – it is not written in stone – but it is a great place to start. The Hacker and Sommers (7th ed.) text provides guidance on forming a working thesis in Section 7a (pp. 28-29) and testing a thesis in Section 7b (pp. 29-30).
Thinking Critically About Sources (due in Module 2)
(20 pts.)
By Wednesday of Module 1 you selected a thesis statement. Now it is time to begin finding and evaluating sources related to your thesis. Evaluate one of the sources you find for your research paper using the "Thinking Critically About Sources" handout in Module 2. Note that you are not locked into using this source for your paper. You may change your mind and replace it with a different source later. Please answer the questions in the exercise using complete sentences. You may not use direct quotes for this exercise. Instead, paraphrase into your own words.
Important note: The focus of this assignment is to evaluate the source as a whole especially the venue where it is found (with the exception of books).
Outline with Annotated Sources (due in Module 3)
(20 pts.)
Whereas the focus of the “Thinking Critically About Sources” assignment is to evaluate the source as a whole, the focus of the “Outline with Annotated Sources” assignment is to evaluate the content of your sources.
Creating an outline is an important step in organizing your paper. This outline, however, likely will be different from most of the outlines you have created in the past. Because your research paper is to be an analytical paper, your task is to take a position (make a claim) on a topic that can be defended (thesis statement) and to provide reasons that support your claim. The reasons become the main points of your outline. Next you will find evidence to support each of your reasons. Then you will provide an annotated APA style source for at least one piece of evidence for each reason. Finally, you will provide an opposing view, a reason for the opposing view, evidence for the opposing view, a rebuttal, and a conclusion.
This Claim-Reasons-Evidence approach will help you to produce a well-organized and well-supported paper. More detail regarding all of the components of the Outline with Annotated Sources assignment can be found in the “Sample Outline with Annotated Sources” handout in Module 3. When you complete the Outline with Annotated Sources, you will be well on your way to having a solid plan for how to organize your research paper.
Note: Good organization will help to produce a good draft. Therefore, students may not begin to write their Draft Research Paper until the professor provides feedback on the Outline with Annotated Sources.
Draft of Research Paper (due in Module 5)
(20 pts.)
Please do not begin writing the Draft Research Paper until you have received feedback from the professor regarding the Outline with Annotated Sources.
A draft is the first writing of the research paper. It contains all the elements that a final paper does. The term “draft” means just that – it is not expected to be perfect. There will be spelling mistakes, grammar errors, and awkward sentences. At times, the writer will want to change the order of the paragraphs to make the paper show better organization. Perhaps transitional phrases are needed to join the ideas smoothly.
The Draft Research Paper should follow the same organization and particulars delineated in the final Research Paper stage below.
Research Paper (due in Module 7)
(50 pts.)
After receiving feedback from the Smarthinking tutor and your professor, revise the draft. Revision takes time and effort, but it separates poor writers from great ones. Do not begin to revise as soon as you finish your first draft. Take a break and wait for valuable feedback. Yet do not wait until the last minute, either. Read the paper through at least twice. Focus on the overall concepts first, and save the minute errors for last. Read through the paper out loud slowly one sentence at a time to help find grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes. Check to make sure the paper is written using APA style.
Organize your paper as follows:
Title page with running head
Introduction including thesis statement.
Body
Reason #1 with evidence
Reason #2 with evidence
Reason #3 with evidence
Opposing view
Reason for opposing view with evidence
Rebuttal
Conclusion
References
Particulars:
The paper should be 4-6 pages (excluding title page and references).
The paper should be typed with double-spacing throughout, including the list of references. Do not put extra space between paragraphs. Denote new paragraphs with indentation.
The paper should be supported by a minimum of six in-text citations from four sources, two of which must be scholarly sources. Non-scholarly sources must be of high quality, such as some .gov and .edu web sites. Wikipedia may not be used as a non-scholarly source.
The in-text citations and list of references must be formatted using APA style.
The list of references should be in alphabetical order with double spacing, just like the body of the paper, and formatted with hanging indent.
Follow the formatting and tone of the Walmart paper in the Syllabus/Documents area.
Avoid writing in the first or second person, which are too informal. Instead, write in the formal, objective third person.
Attach both parts of the feedback received from the Smarthinking tutor (submitted to the Essay Center) as part of your submission.
The extended nature of this project teaches students proper academic research and writing skills. Therefore, papers will be judged on grammar, punctuation, proper citations, clarity, and mechanics as well as on the merits of the submitted research. A grading rubric is provided in the Syllabus/Document area.
American Psychological Association (APA) Style:APA style must be used for all stages of the Research Paper. Resources regarding how to use APA style are located within the course and in the required Pocket Style Manual. In addition, there are two sample APA-style papers in the Syllabus/Documents area in Blackboard.
APA Style Salient Points:
All ideas that are not your original thoughts must have in-text citations giving credit to the author and, with the exception of personal communication, a reference list entry.
Keep verbatim quotes to a minimum. Instead, paraphrase whenever possible. Paraphrasing demonstrates understanding and assessment of information and strengthens an argument.
Quoting matters:
Do not begin or end a paragraph with a direct quotation. Remember, you are the writer and you are making a point. Quotes merely support the point(s) that you are making.
Avoid “dropped quotes.” Introduce all quotes.
Block indent quotes that are 40 words or more (should be used minimally).
Evidence should come from quality sources such as peer-reviewed journals, books, or scholarly websites (Wikipedia is not permitted) or government or education web sites.
Follow writing guidelines using APA (6th Edition) format.
