Understanding inquiry, research,
and the writing process
A WebQuest for Freshman Composition students
designed by Cassander Smith
Purdue University
Intelligence is not always knowing the answer. It is always asking the question.
-- Maya Angelou
Life is a series of questions and answers. In the professional world those questions become problems or inquiries that require a solution/conclusion. Consider for a moment the great English mathematician Sir Isaac Newton. As the story goes, he watched an apple fall from a tree. The descent of the apple prompted questions for which Newton sought answers. Why did the apple fall instead of float? Did the height of the tree contribute to the speed at which the apple fell? Was the phenomenon unique to planet earth? Newton's quest for answers led to his famous theory of gravitation. However, it was not enough to simply arrive at answers. Newton articulated and expounded on those findings and others in several books he wrote during his lifetime. Think about your own disciplines of study and the types of questions or problems that might be worth a closer examination. How would you go about finding the answers? And once you arrive at answers, how do you disseminate the information?
Task Process Evaluation Conclusion
E Task
In this webquest, you will engage in a pursuit not unlike Newton's, in which you will pose a question/problem, search for answers and articulate your findings. Your task is four-fold: First, you must decide on a question/problem you want to research. Second, you must present a written proposal for a research paper. Third, your task is to present your original research findings in a 10-12 page research paper with proper documentation. Last, you must create a plan for disseminating your information to a pre-determined audience and present that plan to the rest of the class.
Introduction Process Evaluation Conclusion
E Process
The first step in the process is to pick a topic/issue, preferably something related to your field of study, that presents a problem you can explore further and research. For example, if your major is agricultural science, you might notice that there's a general distrust of genetically modified foods and ask why, which becomes your avenue for research. Or perhaps your major is sports management and you might ask why athletes such as Brett Favre find it so difficult to stay in retirement. Realize that your problem doesn't have to be phrased as a question and technically might not be a question at all. For example, you might notice that public perception of genetically modified foods is inaccurate, and so you set out to challenge that perception. Or you might notice a major shift regarding seatbealt usage among drivers in the Midwest and you want to point out that the shift is occurring and examine possible reasons for the shift.
Once you find a problem to mull, you can start researching your issue. Hicks Undergraduate Library is a great place to start as are the libraries housed in your respective schools of discipline. Also, consider using the Internet and professors in your major. Keep in mind, though, that as part of the research phase, you must evaluate sources, determining which are valuable and which aren't deemed credible, timely, accurate, fair, etc., all the criteria we discussed in class during the second project. In addition, the following websites offer more information about evaluating sources:
How to evaluate information sources
Critical analysis of information sources
Can you trust the information?
About midway through the research phase, you should be able to start forming some kind of conclusions, have a general sense of where your research is leading you. It is then time to write a research proposal in which you clearly spell out the question you're researching, why it's an important and relevant question for your major and/or society as a whole, what others have said about the topic, including the sources you are currently examining, and what your plans are for further research and wrapping up the project. Also, there must be some mention of how your own conclusions offer a unique perspective on the problem. What will you say that nobody else has? Note: At this point, I must approve your proposal before you can finish the project. If I reject your proposal, you and I will work together to shift your energies in another more productive direction. The following links, in addition to class lectures, can offer further guidance on research and writing a research proposal.
Purdue library online research tutorial
Tippecanoe County Public Library
The basics of a research proposal
Once your proposal has been approved, you can finish the research and begin writing the paper. Understand, though, that research is about more that just compiling facts and regurgitating them in a research paper. Your primary goal is to examine those facts, seek to understand them on an even deeper level and reconfigure them in unique, exciting, and substantial ways. When you do that, you arrive at unique conclusions that offer fresh perspectives on your topic. That's what you want. The research paper should be 10-12 pages, plus a works cited page, in 12 point type, Times font, 1-inch margins. Refer to the links below for further guidance on writing a research paper:
The nine-step process -- Superb site created by Purdue's very own writing lab. You will want to consult this site early and often; make it your primary reference.
Sample Research papers -- Peruse sample MLA and sample APA papers. Don't worry, though, about the style formatting. Focus more on the content and how the papers are organized/structured. Look at how research information is incorporated into the prose. Look at how sources are introduced and quoted/paraphrased/summarized. Lastly, pay attention to the transitions between paragraphs and points/sections.
Tips for writing a thesis statement
Function of a thesis statement
Tips for supporting thesis through synthesis
Research and documentation online
A general guide with useful links
The last step is creating and presenting a plan for disseminating the information. First you must consider the model audience for whom your research will be most beneficial. For example, who will care most that a shift is occurring in seatbelt usage among Midwest drivers? Those in your major field conducting similar research? The leaders of third world countries? Your plan must include an analysis of this model audience. Who are they? What are their likes, dislikes, tendencies? How receptive will they be to your information? How will they use that information. Then you need to create a multimedia presentation that would make your information accessible to that audience. For example, if your research is targeted at a segment of the general population, do you want to create a television public service announcement, similar to the anti-smoking white lies campaign that's targeted at kids and parents? Or maybe you want to create a song to be played on the radio or build a webpage. If your audience consists of your professional colleagues, maybe your plan will be to present your findings in an article in a trade or scholarly journal or present it at a conference. In this case, you must name the journal or conference and defend your choice to use that particular venue. Your options are many, and you are allowed to be as creative as necessary. One caveat, remember that you will be presenting your plan to your classmates, so please consider their sensibilities when creating your plans. Next, you will pretend that your classmates comprise that model audience and you will present your multimedia effort to them. At the end of your presentation, you are expected to turn in a two to four page write-up that analyzes your audience and choice of mediums for disseminating your information.
At the end of this webquest, you are to turn in the following items in a folder:
A copy of the graded -- and approved -- proposal
Your research paper, rough draft and final copy
A write-up of your multi-media project, including a thorough audience analysis and justification.
Introduction Task Evaluation Conclusion
This webquest will account for sixty percent of your final class grade. Below is a copy of the Evaluation rubric that will be used to grade your projects. Notice that the rubric is designed to assess the quality of your work, not the quantity. While it is important that you include the necessary information by addressing each category, of even more importance is how well you address each category.
What's Your Problem: A research writing webquest
Evaluation Sheet
Name:_______________________________________ Date:_________________
Research Proposal (out of 10 total points) __________
_________ (Out of 5) Organization: Proposal clearly outlines research plan and includes essential parts of a research proposal discussed in webquest.
_________ (Out of 5) Overall Effectiveness: Proposal promises solid research and offers unique answer to real problem. Proposal is specific and detailed, offering clear plan for further research and a firm knowledge of past research done on the issue.
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Plan for Dissemination (Out of 30 total points) __________
__________ (Out of 10) Audience Analysis: Plan clearly outlines target audience, characterizing group specifically enough to render an overall image of expected readership, offering information like age-range, economic status, profession, religion (if relevant), etc. Plan considers specific questions about the audience, such as those posed in the webquest.
__________ (Out of 10) Appropriateness: Chosen audience seems appropriate for research conclusions. Choice seems deliberate, effective, and well thought-out.
__________ (Out of 10) Overall Effectiveness: Plan is logical and seems feasible. Research findings will likely reach target audience, and plan seems appropriate for reaching that audience.
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Research Paper (Out of 60 total points) _______________
__________ (Out of 15) Thesis: Paper centered on a clear, strong, specific, thesis. Thesis displays understanding and synthesis of information taken from referred links and class lectures.
__________ (Out of 15) Organization: Paper clearly organized on a general level with an introduction, body and conclusion. In addition each paragraph is arranged in such a way as to offer support for the thesis statement, with a clear topic sentence and strong particulars/evidence to support the topic sentence.
__________ (Out of 10) Source Quality: Sources appear credible, timely, relevant, accurate, fair. Sources integrated smoothly into text with introduction tags and thumbnail sketches of credentials. Quotes work seamlessly and sources offer adequate support for thesis.
___________ (Out of 10) Overall Effectiveness/Content: Research paper ponders a real issue and offers a conclusion that is unique and useful. Thesis well supported and articulated.
___________ (Out of 10) Other assignments
__________ (Out of 5) Rough-Draft: Draft of research paper included along with peer review comments.
__________ (Out of 5) Homework related to this webquest
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_______________ Overall Grade
Introduction Task Process Conclusion
Remember the quote from Angelou at the beginning of this webquest. You don't necessarily have to know the answers, just the right questions. Processes similar to the one in this webquest will help you arrive at the answers. Now that you have completed this project I encourage you to apply the skills you've learned to other classes you're taking or will take. Compositional skills such as organization, source evaluation, and research are transferable. No matter your discipline, your professional success will depend, in part, on how well you can find creative answers for problems and how well you can articulate your thoughts and ideas.
Introduction Task Process Evaluation