Background/introduction: In this section, you will present your research topic and explain its significance. Why is it an important topic to research? Be sure to include any background information your instructor may need.

Description: Identify the main concern about your topic; include your research question and any relative secondary questions. You must include your working thesis statement, identifying it with the phrase: "My working thesis is...." You must also include the expected results of your research. Remember that a thesis statement is typically one complete sentence that is not a question.

Plans, Methods, and Procedures: Explain how you plan to research your topic. Will you be conducting primary research (such as surveys or interviews) or relying mainly on library research (databases, department portals, specific search engines)? What note taking methods will you employ? How will you keep track of your sources?

Schedule: Include all course deadlines and any additional deadlines you have set for yourself. Decide when you will take notes and when you will compose the paper. (Some people do one and then the other; others alternate.)

Research Paper:

Write a 9 to 10 page research paper about a topic related to your major or intended career. The thesis of your paper should propose a solution to solve a specific problem. Use at least 7 credible sources (4 sources must be from peer-reviewed journals from the APUS library) to support your thesis. The paper must be original to this course--no recycling, please! Follow the guidelines provided for your particular field of study of your paper's subject. You must choose one of the following documentation styles: APA, MLA, or Chicago.