• The research paper is a critical extended essay synthesizing and evaluating what you have learned about your chosen information community throughout the semester. (Course Learning Outcomes: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8)All assignments in INFO 200 help build your understanding and knowledge of the information needs and information-seeking behaviors of the information community you are researching. This paper should present an analysis of current literature and critically discuss the issues and debates surrounding the information needs of your information community.

    The goal of the Research Paper is to give you experience in writing a graduate-level research paper. Longer research papers can be stressful to work on, but remember that all of your work so far this semester can be used in this assignment! There is no self-plagiarism in INFO 200; please reference and use the work you have already completed. If you have any questions about this paper, please do not hesitate to ask.

    Getting Started

    • Please review, remix, and adapt your previous work for this research paper. This includes your work on previous assignments and blog posts.
    • Begin using the INFO 200 LibGuideLinks to an external site. to identify research paper sources:
      • You will need at least 20 items in your reference list – a majority of which should be scholarly/research peer reviewed sources.
      • A majority of your reference list must consist of articles and studies found in your own research.
      • You are also welcome to include pertinent links to course resources. You should  use the models, theories, and LIS foundations presented throughout the course in your work, but need to do your own independent research.
    • Set up and use a system for organizing your research articles and reference materials. Consider using a citation manager, such as Zotero or PaperpileLinks to an external site.. Make sure to double check all citations, especially those in your reference list.
    • Utilize course material relating to information needs and information-seeking behavior as a resource in your writing.
    • Review sample assignments for inspiration and insights.
    • Start to synthesize what you learn in this class into your research paper:
      • As you complete class readings, lectures and assignments, ask yourself how the information you have learned impacts your information community. Make notes of these so you can include these parallels or contrasts in your research paper.
      • What questions about your information community seem to arise as you review research materials? Are there relationships between your research materials and what you’re learning in this class? Are you noticing any common themes? Make notes of those to discuss these relationships in your research paper.
      • Are you discovering anything new or unexpected about the information needs and information-seeking behaviors of the information community you are researching as you do your research? How does what you’re learning in this class relate to what you’re discovering? How does what you’re learning in class change how you view or understand the information needs and information-seeking behaviors of your community?

    Assignment Requirements

    The Research Paper, including the title page, abstract, and reference list, should be a minimum of 4500 words in length and no more than 5000 words. In our field, word count is critical for publishing and grant writing.

    Follow APA 7th Edition guidelinesLinks to an external site. for each section of your paper. The paper should include the following components in this order:

    Title page: Provide the paper’s title, your name, course number, course name, and date. Your title page should be formatted based on APA 7 student title page standardsLinks to an external site..

    Abstract: In one paragraph, briefly summarize your paper’s content. The abstract should be between 150 and 250 words in length and placed on page 2.

    Introduction: Identify the information community being studied and why an examination of this group is significant. This opening section should conclude with an overview of what topics related to the information needs and information-seeking behaviors of the community the paper will address. Start your introduction on page 3.

    Literature Review: Using what you learned from the literature review matrix assignment as a starting point, the literature review section should provide a synthesis and critical analysis of the published research about the information needs and information-seeking behaviors of the information community you are researching. Your information should be synthesized to 2-3 pages and you will want to use relevant information theories from the course to frame your review.

    Describe how these previous works have contributed to our knowledge of the information community. Use course materials, such as relevant information behavior theories, to frame the review and use sub-headings to help guide the reader through the themes being discussed. Your discussion should address the following points:

    • Who has written on the topic?
    • What subtopics or themes have been covered?
    • What, if any, schools of thought have developed?
    • Are there any controversies within the literature?
    • What approaches or methodologies have been used?
    • What weaknesses, biases, or gaps exist in the current research?

    Methodology: Explain how your paper’s data was located and/or generated. Typically, this section will discuss the information sources used to gather background readings to learn about their information practices. You will also want to identify the research-based and community-based sources that you used.

    Note: This section does not require an analysis of the research methods used in the material you sourced – such discussion belongs in the Literature Review or Discussion sections of your paper.

    Discussion: Provide a critical analysis of your research findings and assess how well your information community’s needs are being met based upon the information seeking behaviors identified. Be sure to include evidence to substantiate your generalizations. This evidence should consist of quotes, statistics, and examples drawn from your academic readings and via community-based resources. You will want to utilize course resources and readings to support your ideas and use sub-headings to help guide the reader through the major topics and themes being discussed. Your discussion might include the following:

    • Details on what you learned about how your community employs technology to use, create and share information
    • What educational programming and services are available to your community from libraries or information centers
    • Insights as to how your community or similar communities are served in other parts of the globe.
    • Suggestions for what new resources and services might be developed in the future.

    Conclusion: Summarize what you have learned about your information community’s information seeking behaviors and information needs. Identify the implications for libraries and information centers that may serve your information community and consider what might the future hold in relation to your information community, their information seeking behaviors and information needs, and how these needs are or are not being met by the information centers and/or libraries that serve your chosen community.

    References: Your reference list should include at least 20 items, the majority of which should be peer reviewed. APA 7 formatting is required.

    Review Assignment Examples

    Review one or more Research Papers on the “Assignment Examples” page. Reading through examples of successful Research Paper assignments will help you understand the expectations and requirements of the assignments. Examining a well researched, well structured, and well written paper can help you assess and revise your paper.

    It is highly recommended that you look over at least one example Research Paper assignment in order to gain a better understanding of the assignment and what is expected.

    Before Submitting Your Assignment

    • Review your checklist to ensure that you have included all the required assignment components.
    • For Rules for the Body of the Paper for Academic Writing, review  “Academic Writing Conventions and APA Style” in Module 2.
    • Spell and grammar check your document.
    • Double check your use of APA 7 formattingLinks to an external site.. Check the general formatting of the paper, in-text citations, and references.
    • Take a break from your document and come back later to proofread it (manually).
    • Ask a peer to proofread your document – offer to do the same for them.
    • If you submit your assignment on Canvas prior to the due date and discover you have corrections to make, you can re-submit your assignment prior to the deadline.

    Grading Criteria

    Criteria Points
    Required components 6
    Mechanics 6
    Comprehension and analysis 6
    Critical thinking and reflection 6
    Connections to course content and information science 6
    TOTAL 30
    • Required components evaluates whether your research paper has a solid organizational foundation and includes all assignment requirements. Your paper successfully includes all assignment components: Title Page, Abstract, Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Discussion, Conclusion, and References. Your paper includes required references, the majority of which are peer-reviewed. The assignment should meet the word count requirements.
    • Mechanics assesses the quality of writing and technical aspects of the paper. The paper contains clarity of prose, a logical outline, transitional components, and is error-free; is formatted correctly and provides correct APA citation for each source; has a style suitable for academic work at the Masters level. 
    • Comprehension and analysis assesses the learner’s broad understanding of the ideas and ability to integrate the ideas into their work. The learner deeply understands the chosen information community and its information behaviors; successfully understands and describes the relevant theories of information-seeking; assimilates information, successfully interprets the literature, and describes major themes.
    • Critical thinking and reflection assesses how the learner applies their comprehension in service of generating novel ideas. The learner uses understanding of the chosen information community and the literature to thoroughly discuss issues, compare / contrast points of view, and examine interrelationships. You should demonstrate that you have developed a perspective by presenting a particularly scholarly, credible, and compelling examination of the issues.
    • Connections to course content and information science evaluates how you use INFO 200 materials and LIS theories as a framework for your ideas. You should clearly incorporate and cite foundational INFO 200 materials to support ideas and make connections. You should demonstrate an ability to support findings regarding the chosen information community with appropriate LIS models and theories.

    Submitting Your Assignment

    Submit your finished paper to Canvas (not your blog) using the naming convention: “LastName_NameofAssignment” as a PDF or Word document.