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THE RATIONALE FOR THE RESEARCH PAPER
The research paper assignment serves many purposes. Students can develop a variety of thinking skills through research and writing. The skills fall into three basic categories: inquiry, problem solving, and evaluation. A natural outgrowth of these thinking skills is the means of expressing thought through expository writing.
The research paper requires logical sentence structure, coherent paragraph composition, clear transitions from paragraph to paragraph, and a general understanding of a variety of organizational approaches, for example, inductive, deductive, compare-contrast. Another very important purpose of the research paper is the mastery of content. Few academic exercises promote such an in-depth understanding and retention of information in a particular subject area. The final purpose of the research paper is the fostering of a student's personal growth.
The research paper is a thought provoking endeavor which promotes creativity and initiative in the search for an evaluation of information. The student's need for choice and personal involvement in the learning process is recognized; the student chooses the topic of the research paper and can further his or her own intellectual interests.
The research paper encourages independent learning and enhances the student's ability to take responsibility for that learning. Of great importance to the student's personal growth is the fact that the research paper is a long term project; it helps a student order priorities. In addition, the assignment fosters personal growth by requiring commitment to meet the schedule and to fulfill its purposes. It legislates against the tendency to oversimplify complex problems. Television specials, the daily news and the speeches of many politicians often superficially explain problems and advocate a "quick fix" approach to solving them. In-depth research and thorough writing promote serious understanding of issues and solutions.
Finally, the research paper helps to lengthen the attention span of students, and to engender the perseverance necessary for genuine learning. The research task then teaches scholastic and personal skills.
Helpful RESEARCH PAPER INFORMATION
Remember to use your copy of the Report Guidelines in conjunction with the "How to Write a Term Paper" handout for correct formatting practices.
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