Aug. 21

1. Research and Writing Tools: 

--Maris web site: www.stetson.edu/~gmaris  --Stetson WebCat and databases 

--Search Engines

2.  Writing:

     --format: see Maris Web page for basic format in line with the nature of the research --click here

     --writing problems/skills: see writing research papers information in Web page --click here-- and read carefully now and during the writing process

     --bibliography format: note this carefully in Web page --click here-- choose the style to be used and then be consistent with it.

There will be an EXAM at the next meeting. Note the questions below in the information for the next meeting. 

Several articles will be handed out in class. These articles are to be read for examples of how to research and write on a political science topic. I will go over two of them in class. For the next class you need to note on one of them (underline, margin notes or however you wish to make notations) the following:

-- what is (a) the abstract (b) what information comes from the review of literature (c) what theoretical ideas are present (d) what hypothesis or hypotheses are used, if any (e) what methodology and approach to the study is used (f) what variable [s] are studied and which is [are] the dependent and independent variable [s] (g) what operational definitions or special definitions for key terms (h) what constitutes the "findings" and (i) what constitutes the conclusion. ---- You need not write an analysis paper nor learn the material in the articles. You should only make notations throughout so that we can discuss in class the format and the various parts of the research paper. Thus, you need to be prepared to go to your notations when called upon to indicate what are the hypotheses, operational definitions, etc. 

This exercise is to help you  become intimately acquainted with the various parts of a good research paper. Your senior paper should include these parts in the order generally found in articles. 

Aug. 26

Review of items from first class

The format for the paper.

There will be an EXAM with the following questions:

(a) What is meant by the following and (b) provide an example from the article handed out in class:

1. a theory

2. an hypothesis

3. a variable

4. a dependent variable

5. an independent variable

6. an operational definition

From my Web site on writing a research paper:

1. plagiarism

2. comma splice

3. parallelism

4. verb tense consistency

5. vague pronoun reference

  Come prepared (1) to discuss the different parts of the articles handed out in the previous class  and 

(2) to present your first attempt at the topic you would like to pursue. We will work as a seminar group on this first time in the sense of having the class comment on different proposals and what needs to be considered in choosing such a topic.

• The topic is________

• My question is ______

• I plan to study it using the following types of resources ____________

Aug. 28

Draft Bibliography  [Blackboard]

 Draft bibliography due: Use the correct format for bibliographical form. [Se my Web site for links to citation formats]  

Sept. 2

Refined bibliography  [Blackboard]

This may change over time as you discover new material and eliminate material. In the final paper you will need a "Works Cited" page instead of the bibliography in order to indicate which sources you have actually used in the text itself. 

Prepare a refined bibliography including comments on which items look like the best potential sources and why (This requires you to look briefly at some of the possible sources to see if the contents will lend themselves well to your study.). 

What difficulties are you having in finding sources? By indicating these we can see what suggestions can be offered to overcome these difficulties. 

Sept. 4

Theories, hypotheses, methodological approach 

Especially important is having a sense of any theory(ies) you intend to study and any specific hypotheses. This means deciding on the variables, which are dependent/independent, operational definitions, statistical methods [need not be too fancy -- often some basic tools learned in PE 325 are adequate, including simple percentages and comparisons].

You may intend not a specific theory or hypothesis but a specific question such as the basic position of the Supreme Court on federal-state separation of powers or the likelihood of Iraq being able to establish a democratic political system.

You may wish to study particular political concepts such as liberalism, communitarianism, etc. or a particular political philosopher. 

At any rate, you need a narrow topic that lends itself to accessible resources and time and allows for solid findings from which you can build a good argument for your conclusion relative to the question, theory, etc. at hand.

Prepare a refined statement of your topic, theories relevant to it, hypotheses to be studied (if applicable), and method of study, including specifics as to how you will be going about your study. 

Sept. 9

(1) Draft of basic outline for your paper. [Blackboard]

(2) First notes coming from review of literature [Blackboard]

(1) Prepare a general outline of the main sections of your paper. These may be very general resembling and following the basic format for writing research papers and should only be one page. For example: your outline would have a section on "methodology" and one on "findings". As your reading expands the outline should expand also to include more particular items within each category. Thus, instead of simply "Findings" you would have several subtopics under "Findings." 

Your outline should be numbered with Roman Numerals I. II. III, etc. Your final paper should also follow this outline with each section numbered. This will allow you to follow the proper organization for developing, writing and presenting your research. 

(2) Without trying to write a comprehensive and coherent narrative, type out some of the basic ideas coming from your review of literature that helps set the back ground of ideas and information for your study.

Sept. 11

No class -- work on 1st draft of Review of Literature

Sept. 18

First draft on Review of Literature. [Sent to Blackboard]   .  

Prepare first draft on your review of literature. This should help you to orient to possible topics, theories, hypotheses for your paper and set the backdrop both theoretical and informational for your paper.   

Sept. 23

No Class -- Use for research time.

Oct. 2

No Class. List of sources should be sent via Blackboard and your portfolio brought by my office before noon today.

List of sources read and upon which notes have been taken. If you are doing a quantitative study involving questionnaires, etc. a description of the questionnaire or what data has been collected to date is required.   [Only a list. You need not include all your notes from these sources.] [Blackboard]

Portfolio  should be handed in.  This should include copes of articles you are using from the Internet, or any others you have copied for your research use.

Oct. 7

We will meet in class. 

Return of portfolios.  

I will comment on the portfolios to date and make suggestions for the next steps. Times will be indicated for meeting with each of you individually to go over what has been done to date and what is in process at the time of our meeting.  

Oct. 9

First draft of sections of the paper.  [Sent to Blackboard by noon today]

You should be working on the second draft between now and the next class.

This will be incomplete since you still have research to do, but it will give you and me an idea of what information and ideas you have to date and what is being pursued.

You should have at least:

1. Title Page: Yes

2. Abstract: No -- This comes after all is done

3. Introduction  [one page, possibly two] [which states:

•  your question, 

• reason for study, 

• variable [s] and theory [ies] of concern if relevant

4. Review of Literature [2-3 pages]

5. Methodology [1-2 pages] [includes, where appropriate:

• operationalized definitions, 

• interview information as to whom is interviewed, number of interviews, interview questions and why

• statistics to be used and why

• specific data to be used

• specific primary and key sources used

• etc. 

Oct. 16

No class -- You should be working on the second draft.

I will provide comments and suggestions and set times for individual meetings to discuss progress on the papers.   

Oct. 21

No class -- You should be working on the second draft

Oct. 23

Oct. 28

Second draft of sections of paper.  [Sent to Blackboard by noon today]

You should be working on the revised and polished paper between now and the next class.  

Substantial improvement of the second drafts over the first should be in evidence.

 All sections should now be included which means in addition to the ones in the first draft you now add:

6. Findings: Whatever is appropriate such as:

• Data Collection and Analysis,

•  Analysis of historical texts, 

• Analysis of primary sources

• etc. 

7. Conclusion

8. References: Works Cited Page

Oct. 30

No class -- work on final paper.   

I will provide comments and suggestions and set times for individual meetings to discuss progress on the papers.   

Nov. 4

Nov. 6

Revised and polished paper. This should include everything for the final paper:

[Sent to Blackboard by noon today]

1.  title page:

2.  abstract

3.  introduction

4.  review of literature

5.  methodology section

6.  findings/analysis

7.  conclusion

8.  works cited page

9. (bibliography. optional since works cited page is most critical)

The works cited page differs from the bibliography in that the works cited include only those sources cited in the text of your paper. The bibliography may include other items you found useful but are not cited in the text.   

Portfolio picked-up. Copies of articles of special importance from journals, newspapers, primary sources -- not whole books

Electronic copies of this revised and polished draft should be sent to me. Revisions from earlier drafts should be indicated in blue highlighting.

Nov.11

Discussion of papers.  

These papers will be graded. 

The grade will be tentative until after the oral presentations. The presentations may open up questions or discover some soft spots that need to be strengthened prior to the final grade.  

After  this grade you will have the opportunity to improve on your grade provided:

•  you have been diligent in meeting the various deadlines and 

• seeking to develop a good paper throughout the semester.

I will provide comments and suggestions and set times for individual meetings to discuss progress on the papers and to go through a discussion of your presentation. You should have a clear outline of what you are going to say, length of time, and any graphs [power point or other visual aids] you are going to use. 

Nov. 13

No class   

Individual meetings to practice oral presentation 

Your presentation should follow the presentation format provided in class item by item!!

1. My topic is__________________
2. I choose this topic because______________ // Its relevance to political science and the understanding of politics is____________
3. My specific question is__________________
4. The general theory that is affected by my study is_____________
5. A more specific theory following from the broad, general theory that is related to my study is____________________
6. The specific hypothesis [es] which I am studying is [are] the following with the independent and the dependent variables indicated:_________________
7. The professional literature relative to my study includes the following: __________
8. My method for studying my question is as follows:

--if interviews indicate number to be interviewed/who is being interviewed and why/the interview questions and why

--if election data which data, why selected, source of data

--if statistics such as healthcare, democratic participation, etc. what source [s]

--the operational definitions relative to my study are the following_____

etc.

9. A quick summary of the findings of my study are: ______

10. With regard to my basic question I conclude the following: __________

This relates back to the general theory _____________________

11. Perhaps some fruitful line of study which might answer some questions raised by this study or handle some questions related to it  are______________________

Nov. 18

Oral Presentations: 

These are 15 minute presentations with 5 minutes for Q & A. ---Attendance by all class members is required.

Also: Individual meetings to practice oral presentations for those who have not yet done theirs

After presentations a time will be set to discuss the presentation and the paper to see if any work remains to be done.

Nov. 20

Oral Presentations: 

These are 15 minute presentations with 5 minutes for Q & A. Attendance by all class members is required.

Also: Individual meetings to practice oral presentations for those who have not yet done theirs

After presentations a time will be set to discuss the presentation and the paper to see if any work remains to be done.

Nov. 25

Oral Presentations: 

These are 15 minute presentations with 5 minutes for Q & A. Attendance by all class members is required.

Oral Presentations: 

After presentations a time will be set to discuss the presentation and the paper to see if any work remains to be done.

Dec. 2

Dec. 4

Revised Papers  

If re-working paper for better grade indicate all the changes by typing them in blue and in italics. This will allow you to have a sense of the substance of your changes as well as I. Any comments I have made in red should be left in.

Any papers redone to improve quality and grade due.

Complete portfolio including the graded paper must be turned in. The redone paper will be compared with the original graded paper to see if significant revision/polish has been done. Revisions should be highlighted in blue on electronic copy.  Sometimes one needs only a little polish and sometimes major work is necessary. I'll indicate this when returning the graded papers previously.