1. Basic Research Methods:
Starting your Research
Projects
Professor Donna Gitter
IDH 4001H (Seminar 4): Shaping the
Future of New York City, Spring 2013
ITF: Amanda Favia

2. Research Paper
What it is:
 A research paper is the culmination of an involved
process of research, critical thinking, source
evaluation, organization, and composition.
 A research paper draws on what others have to
say about a topic and engages the sources in
order to thoughtfully offer a unique perspective on
the issue at hand.

3. Research Paper
What it is:
 A research paper is a piece of analytical
writing, an essay in which you survey what
experts know or have said about a topic and
then compare or synthesize their thoughts
with your own insights.

4. Analytical Research Papers:
 The analytical research paper often
begins by asking a question (a.k.a. a
research question).
 Such a paper is often an exercise in
exploration and evaluation.

5. Research Paper
What it is NOT:
 It is NOT simply an opinion piece or an
expository essay consisting solely of one's
interpretation of a text .

6. Choosing a Topic: Research Question
 Question & answer something you want to
share
 Show others that it’s something worth
sharing & knowing
 Guides your research

7. Research Question
 When you find a topic that seems interesting,
write down everything you already know about it.
 Then ask:
- Why is this subject significant?
- Who or what is affected by it?
- Can I break this topic down into smaller parts?
- Can I find scholarly research about this topic?

8. Developing your Research Question:
TQS Method
 Topic: I am working on the topic of…
 Question: because I want to find out…
 Significance: so that I can help others
understand…

9. TQS Method &
Your Research Project
 Use each assignment to help develop and
inform your research question
 Example: Assignment 1
 Questions: reflect, synthesize & develop
 e.g., What kinds of activities are happening here?
AND Does the institution seem to function well for
its intended purpose?

10. TQS Method &
Narrowing your Topic
 A common mistake is to pick a topic that is
too broad
 Selecting a topic that’s too large leads to
vague generalizations and clichéd ideas
 Narrow your topic so you can cover it
adequately

11. TQS Method &
Narrowing your Topic:
 Example:
 Topic: Barclays Center
 Question: “How does the Barclays
Center impact the local economy of
downtown Brooklyn?”

12. Narrowing your Topic:
 Next, look for resources which provide
background information—sources can help
narrow the topic.
 Use the "5 Ws" of journalism to limit your topic
based on the background information you have
found.
Who? What? Where? When? Why?

13. Narrowing the Topic:
 Another way to narrow your topic is to
consider the subject through the framework
of a certain time, place, or population.

14. Narrowing the Topic:
Example: Barclays Center’s impact on the economy
(1) narrow that topic by limiting your research to a certain
time, such as the 2010-2012
(2) further limit that to the local economy of downtown
Brooklyn
(3) narrow the general “economy” to tourism
(4) narrow it to a particular population, such as families,
or families with young children, or union members
(5) etc…

15. Remember what a research paper is
NOT
 It is NOT simply an opinion piece or an
expository essay consisting solely of one's
interpretation of a text
 So, you need an argument for your topic

16. CORE of an Argument
 Claim: What’s the answer to your question?
 Reason: Why should I believe that?
 Evidence: How do you know that?

17. Counter-Arguments
 Acknowledgement and Response: But
what about this other view?

18. Arguments &
Developing your Topic
 As you hone in on your argument, you
can also help this to focus/guide your
research

19. Concluding Remarks
 Keep in mind that research topics are often
fluid and dictated more by your ongoing
research than by the original chosen topic.
 Don’t be afraid to make changes!

20. Concluding Remarks
 Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
Email: amanda.favia@macaulay.cuny.edu
Office Hours:
On-Campus: Tuesdays,11-3pm, 17 Lexington
Ave, Weinstein Honors Lounge, Room 903
Online: Wednesday, 8pm-10pm via gchat

21. Resources
Turabian, Chapter 1 “What Researchers Do”
Purdue University Online Writing Lab
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/0
3/
UNC Writing Center
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/index.
html

22. Resources
Texas A & M University Writing Center
http://writingcenter.tamu.edu/2005/how-to/planning-
drafting/selecting-a-topic/
Southwestern University Library Center
http://www.southwestern.edu/library/research-
support/refining-topic.html
Webster University Writing Center
http://www.webster.edu/writingcenter/tips/research.shtml