Research Synthesis For this Researched Synthesis, you will examine a current, specific, and debatable ethical issue that is related to your major. This topic could very much be the focus of your th

Research Synthesis

For this Researched Synthesis, you will examine a current, specific, and debatable ethical issue that is related to your major. This topic could very much be the focus of your third and final paper. Nevertheless, the purpose of this assignment is to begin working on extensive research of your topic and synthesizing the sources you will find.  

What will your topic be?

Major (Public Health): Consider an ethical issue that is linked to your major that deserves more attention. More importantly, this topic should not be simplistic but instead be debatable or controversial enough to demand further research. Begin by brainstorming interesting topics within your major that are concise but also complex.

What will you “do” in your essay? You will aim to practice several writing strategies:

1. Formulate a research question or hypothesis: You will form a concise and complex research question that demands research. We will work together as a class to strengthen this and focus on moving from observations of a topic to more of a debatable question. You will also create a hypothesis or educated answer to this issue that will stand as the thesis of this assignment. Do not be too wary of this as we expect changes as our research unfolds.

2. Break down historical context: Using source work, you will establish the historicity of your topic. What is the historical context of the problem or issue? What insights can the history of your topic relay in building your argument or hypothesis. When did this issue start? Why?, etc.

3. Establish a statement of the problem: You will break down the problem, controversy or issue that is connected to your topic. What is background information outside of the historical context? What is happening in current times that is making this issue more relevant or even more complicated? Explain the relevancy of your chosen topic.

4. Synthesis: Most of this paper will be your synthesis: an analysis of how your sources work together to create nuanced interpretations. This practice will focus on how your sources build off together but also weave together to teach about a topic. Think about how your sources support, extend, challenge, or complicate each other? We will work on this practice further in class.

What sources will you use? Your Research Synthesis must include 3-4 sources comprised of the following:

● 2-3 scholarly sources specific to your topic that you locate. This can take the form of a peer-reviewed academic research article, a chapter in a scholarly book, a scholarly website (.edu), or reference work (e.g., encyclopedia).

● 1-2 non-scholarly sources. Locate sources such as websites (public affairs, advocacy, government, commercial), statistics, essays, articles (newspaper, magazine, blog), press releases, documentaries, and literature.

General requirements. Your Researched Synthesis should be 3-4pages (12-point font, 1-inch margins, double spaced) plus any images you choose to include. Please use APA citation within the body of your essay and on a References page, and please compose a relative and inviting title for your essay.

Outline:

1. Introduction: introduce your topic and formulate your research question

2. Historical context: use research articles/ google to explain the complex history of your issue

3. Establish a statement of the problem: break down the controversial nature of your problem

4. Synthesis: (2-3 paragraph) show how your research article work together to break down the complexity of your topic

5. Conclusion: reiterate but also break down your hypothesis and how you might prove this with further research