The Heart of Our Course: The Research Project
This week, we begin work on the research project, which will be completed in stages between Week 2 and Week 7 of the course. The research project gives you an opportunity to investigate a problem or question that interests you in your field of study.
- Week 2: Select topic and gather at least four sources
- Week 3: Develop research question
- Week 4: Submit annotated bibliography of four sources (graded assignment). Develop working thesis and outline.
- Week 5: Submit first draft of research essay.
- Week 7: Submit revised research essay (graded assignment).
Please click the link to preview the instructions for the research essay, which you will draft in Week 5 and revise in Week 7: Assignment 3: Research Essay - first draft
Choosing Your Topic
The topic for the research project will be a connection between your field of study and a problem or controversial issue in society. Below are some examples of possible topics for various fields of study:
- A student studyingenvironmental managementmight choose to investigate the connection between flooding in a particular location and the location's policies on new development.
- A student studyingpsychologycould research support for students with learning differences in elementary schools.
- A student studyingcybersecuritycould investigate the threat of identity theft for the average U.S. resident.
- A student studyinghistorycould explore similarities between the current U.S. administration and an administration from the past.
Getting to choose your own topic is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. You want to choose a topic that will hold your interest over the next six weeks, and that allow you to find a range of credible sources with in-depth information.
A good way to start is with the prewriting techniques you read about in Week 1, especially freewriting. As you explore ideas, consider what interests you about your field of study and what current issues the field is facing.
Once you have an idea or two in mind, do some preliminary searching for sources right away. These early searches can help you see what information is available on your tentative topic and can also lead you to related keywords and topics.