Research Paper
Write a paper in which you review literature related to a communication research problem statement/ question.
The paper should be 7-10 pages in length. This assignment entails summarizing existing literature and developing an argument that justifies completing new research on the problem question you have selected. This paper is worth 35% of your grade. Let the paper take the following form:
Introduction (1-2 paragraphs): Justify the selection of this topic. (Why is it important?) Provide any necessary context/background, and state the problem (can be phrased as a question). Please underline your one-sentence (or single question) problem statement. At the end, explicitly preview the remaining points of the paper.
You have the option of turning in your 1-2 paragraph introduction section via email on October 4th if you would like to receive ungraded feedback on it.
Review of Literature (5.5-8.5 pages): This is the main portion of your paper. Summarize research literature for your topic, conveying how the studies you include relate to (and differ from) one another. To do so, you will need to break your topic into clear subtopics. Make sure that your review of literature is not merely a description of studies that are listed separately one after another. Instead, each paragraph (or, in some cases, a group of related paragraphs) should represent a subtopic and include studies within that subtopic. You might include, for instance, subtopics about (a) theories used to examine your concept, (b) ways past research has defined your concept, (c) methodologies used to study this concept, and (d) major findings (likely grouped into several distinct paragraphs based on similarities).
Future Research Priorities (1-3 paragraphs): Assess relevant material that remains unknown about the topic (demonstrating a gap in knowledge that invites the new research suggested by the problem question). Indicate what research should be completed; identify the specific reasons new research is invited. You may have already referred to weaknesses or gaps when reviewing the literature; in that case, this is your chance to summarize and elaborate on those deficiencies and suggest areas for future research to address them.
Conclusion (1 paragraph): Summarize your paper. You may also include final thoughts on your topic. (Do not introduce new material here though.)
Format and Details
Your paper should be typed and double-spaced with one-inch margins and 12-point Times New Roman font. Please use correct APA format throughout. You should cite sources frequently (but use direct quotes sparingly). Use a formal, academic tone. (Do not include personal opinions/experiences.)
In addition to 7-10 pages of text, please type and include a title page, outline (after the title page), and reference page.