Overview
For the final assignment, you will write a research paper using your ethnographic fieldnotes, interview, and outside sources. It is important to identify a guiding research question that will guide your ethnographic fieldwork at the beginning of the quarter, which we workshopped during your second or third meeting. You may draw on concrete examples you used to write your analyses each week.
Mechanics of final paper
- 8-10 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins
- Use ethnographic fieldnotes collected weekly
- Cite 5 academic sources, 2 of which may be course readings
- Use APA, ASA, or Chicago-style citations
- Works cited page (not included in page limit)
Required components of final paper
- Introduction with your thesis statement. Remember that the thesis should include the two concepts from the course readings as well as refer to particular findings from your fieldnotes (i.e., what specific contributions does your field site make to our understanding of these general concepts?) 5 points
- Review of all sources to explain your key concepts and broader context. Build on your annotated bibliography to develop this section. 5 points
- Discussion on the setting: State your workplace, your internship, and research methods (i.e., participant observation/fieldnotes, interview, positionality.) 3 points
--- Parts 1-3 should be about 1/3 of your paper ---
- Write-up and analysis of your fieldnotes and interview responses: Remember to be very specific here with detailed descriptions and concrete examples. It should also be clear how the various points from your research here relate to your thesis and they should be organized in a clear and logical manner. 15 points
--- Part 4 should be about 2/3 of your paper ---
- Concluding paragraph briefly restating your thesis and the broader implications of your findings. 2 points