The GRP

The GRP (Guided Research Paper) 

At this point of the course, we begin to work with two topics at the same time:

1) Guided Research Paper topic (one topic shared by the entire class) and
2) Individual Research Paper topic (individual topics for each student).


The rest of the semester will be all devoted to these two major assignments.
The topics cannot change in the middle. So, you better really love the topics!


Task: Choose a problem that affects a specific group of people (i.e. children, teenagers, women, etc.) in your local community, state, country, or region. Then choose an organization or a policy maker that addresses or tries to solve that problem. Write a problem-solution paper that critiques 3 current solutions and recommends how to improve those existing solutions.
Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to develop research skills (choosing a focused topic, developing a research question, using library materials for support), source-based writing skills (evaluating, synthesizing, and documenting sources), and critical thinking skills. These can all be applied toward other source-based writing assignments that you will be writing in your own field of study. 

The Guided Research paper (GRP): 15% of Final Grade
The purpose of the GRP is to collaborate and practice before writing a research paper on your own. The process is emphasized over the product in all assignments related to the GRP. Collaboration, sharing and group work will be done in class.

Structure: This research paper should be written using a Problem-Solution structure which you will learn more about in class. The Problem-Solution structure is commonly used in academic and work settings - such as a part of research literature, project proposals, and experimental studies.

• Note: In general, the structure can vary in a problem-solution paper depending on the purpose and the topic. However, for the GRP you should only follow the outline the instructor gives to you.

GRP Outline: 

I.   Introduce the problem and the organization (1 paragraph)
II.  Solution #1 (3 paragraphs)
          a. Description
          b. Critique  
          c. Improvement
III.  Solution #2
            a.   Description
b.   Critique
c.   Improvement
IV.  Solution #3
            a.  Description
b.  Critique
c.  Improvement
        V.     Conclusion (1 paragraph) 
** WRITTEN IN RED is the part of the paper that students will actually write - this is roughly 5 paragraphs

 
GRP Length: 2-3 pages

• The rest of the paper is hypothetical, but you should discuss other potential solutions in the introduction and conclusion and include them in your thesis statement. 

Formatting & Length: APA Research Paper formatting should be used including a title page and reference page (headers optional). Final papers should use Times New Roman, Size 12, Double-space, with 1-inch margins on all sides. (Paper size: 8 1/2 x 11-inches)

• Note: The References page should not include the annotations from the annotated bibliography.

Sources: Choosing 3 academic, reliable sources. The content of these sources should primarily relate to the first solution since the GRP only requires you to write part of the essay. At least one of the sources should provide background information of the problem and organization. The other two sources should discuss a solution (not necessarily in the context of the specific organization you are dealing with), objectively criticizing the solution and/or providing better solutions. 

• Note: You will only use these three sources; you should NOT search for or use any other sources. These sources will be included in an additional assignment - the annotated bibliography.

Plagiarism: APA in-text and reference page citations should be used, along with effective paraphrasing. Because avoiding plagiarism topics are explicitly taught in this unit, there will be serious consequences to both intentional and unintentional plagiarism.

Tentative Rubric

This rubric is subject to change.