Project Paper

This final research report draft will include a review of empirical research related to your topic, observations specific to your topic and preliminary analyses of/reflection upon your observations and/or interview with a practicing teacher in relation to the research you conducted. This paper should include:

An overview of the research you found on your topic, more specifically, a clear and concise summary of the research findings in your particular area of interest.

It MUST have 5 peer reviewed articles and/or research based books written in the last 10 years as sources.
Web sites may not be used as one of the 5 sources and you are fine to use additional sources (more than 5). You can use web sites that are governmental (e.g., the NCES or National Center for Education Statistics). Web sites that are not acceptable are sites such as Wikipedia or WebMD or outside of the United States.

The second part of your paper will be a balance of your observations or results from your interview(s) with a teacher(s), in relation to the research you conducted, and some general conclusions.

Example:

Spend the first 1-2 pages providing an overview of the research relevant to your specific questions.

Then for the next 1-2 pages you would discuss your observations or interview results, thus far, in relation to the research you conducted related to your research questions.

This is really the analysis or the “meat” of the paper.
You’ve conducted the research, now demonstrate how this research applies or doesn’t apply to what you are observing or learning through talking with a practicing teacher, in very specific ways.

You should also discuss the steps you need to take to successfully complete this final project (e.g., more observations, additional interview questions, further research, etc.).