The IRP

The IRP (Individual 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 Individual Research paper (IRP): 20% of Final Grade
This work should follow almost the same format as the GRP. The purpose of the IRP is to give students the opportunity to try all of the skills that they learned while working on the GRP, but independently, to demonstrate their learning. In this case, quality of the final product should emphasized over process.

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.

Outline: Because of the topic variations, an additional outline option for the IRP is added. Option 1 only describes and critiques two existing solutions, but recommends two entirely new solutions that are both explained and justified. The emphasis here is on the for the new solutions, whereas Option 2 offers improvements to existing solutions - not necessarily offering new solutions. You are encouraged to follow Option 2 since this will mirror the work done for the GRP, but Option 1 can be offered with the instructor's approval

Basic Outline (Same as GRP)

I.  Introduce the problem & organization

II.  Solution #1

a. Description

b. Critique
c.  Improvement

III. Solution #2

a. Description
b. Critique 

b. Improvement

IV.  Solution #3

a. Description
b . Critique
c.  Improvement

V.  Conclusion

            Alternative Option

I.   Introduce the problem & organization

II.    Solution #1:
             a. Description
              b. Critique

III.  Solution #2:
             a. Description
             b. Critique 

IV.   Recommended new solution #1:

a.  Description

b.  Justification

V.    Recommendation new solution #2:

a. Description 

b.  Justification

VI.   Conclusion

IRP Length: 5-7 pages 

Formatting & Length: APA Research Paper formatting should be used including a title page, headers, headings, and reference page. 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: A minimum of 5 academic sources should be used in this paper. The reliability of sources should be emphasized for this assignment. The annotated bibliography may help you with this selection and provide the instructors an opportunity to reject any unacademic sources before you begin formally writing. 

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. Both intentional and unintentional plagiarism will be dealt with harshly. Passing/failing a student should be seriously considered if you are not understanding the seriousness of plagiarism and/or how to avoid it. 

Tentative Rubric

This rubric is subject to change.