Overview
Now that you have completed the research proposal (part 1) in week 3, and the annotated bibliography (part 2) in week 5, you will now write a research paper (Part 3) on your topic.
The paper should be divided into sections, each with their own purpose and length. Each section should include a section header, per APA guidelines. Please use the headings, “Section 1”, “Section 2”, etc.
Section 1: Narrative introduction to this issue. What is the issue? Why is it important? (1-2 pages).
Section 2: Deeper dive into the topic. What are the various positions on this issue? What research supports these positions? What do the national, state, and local perspectives say about this topic? What does research say are best practices on this issue? What are the benefits and drawbacks of these best practices? (2 pages)
Section 3: Application. How does this topic impact the community? How does the topic impact schools? How does this issue impact how students learn or how teachers teach? Why should educators know about and care about this issue? (2 pages)
Section 4: Reflection. Why did you choose this topic? How does this topic impact how you will teach now, and in the future? How does this topic impact how you view education, and your future career and subject matter? (2 pages)
The 7-8 page paper should be a well-thought-out reflection of your learning about your current issue in education. This is a research paper, not an 8-page personal reflection. There is an opportunity for personal reflection in section 4. The research paper should cite (both in-text and in a works cited page) at least five relevant and recent (within the past 10 years) academic sources that were listed in your annotated bibliography and focus on how the current issue in education is impacting education at all levels. The paper should be written using APA formatting (1” margins, section headers, running head, page numbers, title page, in-text citations, and works cited page).