Sociology 361
Spring 2022
Research Paper due May 9
These instructions repeat some of the information in the handout for the proposal.
The research paper is to be a library research paper on a topic related to the material about developing societies which we have discussed or will discuss in the course. The paper must be based on scholarly sources which go beyond the required reading for the course. You must state a thesis and defend it with evidence drawn from your supplementary reading (and, optionally, other kinds of evidence). The paper should present empirical findings but not policy recommendations (that is, do not write a policy paper).
Required length : 3000-4500 words, not counting title page, bibliography, and long quotes.
Be sure to reread the handout on the research paper proposal to make sure you understand the requirements regarding topic and thesis. Your paper must be based primarily on scholarly sources. Review the discussion of theses in the handout on thesis statements on Blackboard. Also pay attention to the discussion of policy papers, and remember that this paper should not be a policy paper.
Write a paper stating and proving your thesis (which you may have modified from the proposal you previously submitted as you do more research). A paper proving a thesis has two major parts: stating the thesis, and then proving it with evidence. The paper should also examine evidence which appears to disprove it and explain why the evidence in favor is stronger than the evidence against. (In the social sciences we do not adopt the legal standard “beyond a shadow of a reasonable doubt.” If we did, we would probably never prove anything.)
You may ask a fellow student or other interested person to read your paper and give you comments. It is always possible to cross the line between getting advice and getting someone else to write your paper for you, but I am confident you will know where that line is and not cross it.
The paper must follow the Style Sheet for Writing Assignments. Before printing your paper, reread the style sheet and be sure you have followed those instructions completely, including supplying all the requested information.
Pay particular attention to the instructions on format and the discussion of plagiarism. Papers which do not follow the procedures spelled out there will be penalized.
Despite previous instructions, it is not necessary to return your proposal with the paper.
Academic integrity and plagiarism. Reread the section on academic integrity in the Style Sheet. You must understand that you are responsible for crediting sources accurately and that plagiarism, whether intentional or unintentional, will be penalized.
Grade. Approximately two thirds of the grade will depend on how good the paper is: Is the writing clear? Do you have a well-defined thesis? Do you prove it adequately? Do you use a sufficient number of appropriate sources? Are your arguments about cause and effect clear and well substantiated? Etc.
Approximately one third of the grade will depend on following the rules: the paper must be on time, with correct spelling, grammar, proper indication of sources, accurate list of references, correct format, title page, dark print, page numbers, etc.
The paper is due May 9 in class, in hard copy. Late papers will be penalized one-third of a grade for each day late. (If the grade is a B and the assignment is one day late you will receive a B; if it is two days late you will receive a C+; etc.) Handing in an assignment on time means handing it in in class the day it is due. Assignments handed in later the same day will be counted as one day late. Saturdays and Sundays do not count in determining lateness penalties.
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