Research Workflow

Research Pitches

You will pitch three different Wikipedia articles as potential topics for your research paper. The pitch topics must be about some kind of technology (the theme of the class). Make sure that your pitches are not too broad. Always look for the most specific sub topic within the main topic. For instance, video games are far too broad of a subject. Video games as an educational tool is much more specific.

The research pitches are a mandatory assignment. You will not be allowed to do the next assignment (the research proposal) until you have received approval on at least one of your pitched research topics.

Research Proposal

After being approved for at least one pitch topic, move ahead with the proposal. The proposal is an in-depth study of your Wikipedia article. Thoroughly know the general aspects of your subject, and convey that expertise to the reader.

More importantly, you will need to understand what the potential issues and arguments are for your chosen topic. You don’t need to pick an argument yet (in fact, you shouldn’t), but you do need to be able to express an understanding of the issues, the sides, and the stakes regarding your topic.

Caveat: The issues are more complex than for or against an issue. There are always, always exceptions and conditions. Find the issues. Define the circumstances and exceptions, and provide your reasons. Look to create your own side of the issues.

Like the pitches, proposals are mandatory. You cannot move forward until you have done the proposal. The comments and questions from my feedback are the basis of the Defense.

Defense

Taken from the term used by graduate students with their theses and dissertations, this is a one-on-one meeting with me. The goal of the conversation is to assure me that you know where you are going with your topic, and to flesh out the potential issues and arguments regarding your topic. Your graded proposal will have questions or requests by me to help you prepare for the defense.

Annotated Bibliography

After you have finalized your topic and know the issue you want to examine, you need to find sources. At this level, Wikipedia is no longer acceptable. You need real and credible sources. In the annotated bibliography, you will summarize the important details and look critically at one or two issues regarding the sources: compare them to one another, examine the source’s authority, or its specific audience.

By the end of the annotated bibliography, you must be well-read on the subject, almost an expert. You’ll know the important players, what’s currently going on, and where it’s headed. Now, refine your argument to a specific thesis statement. The best argument is the one you create. Be original; don’t rely on existing arguments.

Research Paper

The big enchilada. This is the culmination of all your work. You will not rely on existing positions for arguments. You will make your own position where you propose ideas and solutions to the issue you’ve researched. The paper is formal, exact, and meant to be read by the true experts of the field.

Imagine your specific audience. They can be other scholars, government officials, heads of corporations. This is your time to impress them with your ideas. The goal is to gain acceptance, for these people to recognize the worth of your argument, and take action. This is your application to become an expert yourself.