Research Paper – Topic: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate
There is a lot of controversy nowadays regarding vaccinations. Some people feel that
vaccinations are perfectly safe, while others feel that they pose health risks. What do you
think?
You must use at least 6 reputable sources (i.e. books, journal articles, etc…; NOT
random websites). Sources include peer-reviewed journals, books that reference
concrete data and research, reputable organization websites like the Centers for Disease
Control, World Health Organization, etc… A good place to start would be the health
sciences section of the library (http://bergen.libguides.com/health ).
This assignment uses the following writing process:
1. Prewriting – generating ideas and text
a. Choose a side – decide whether you will write a paper that will support
that vaccinations are either beneficial to a person’s health or not.
b. Find and evaluate sources
c. Take notes by quoting, summarizing and paraphrasing sources
d. Create a thesis outline and annotated bibliography
2. Draft & assess your own writing
a. The paper should be 6-8 pages (double spaced, 12 point, Times New
Roman font).
b. It should include the 4 parts of a research paper (see below).
Parts of a Research Paper:
1. Introduction
a. Includes a general, overall presentation of the topic at hand, addressing the topics
that will be discussed in the body
b. Includes a thesis statement
c. Includes a research question
2. Body
a. The number of paragraphs in the body will vary, depending on the number of
topics/points you address.
b. Each paragraph must begin with a topic sentence that introduces the subject matter
to be discussed. *This sentence should NOT be a direct quote from a source.
c. Each paragraph should end with a transition sentence that connects to the next
paragraph.
d. YOUR VOICE must be heard!! You will use the research to support your words, your
voice.
e. Tie the evidence in the body back to your research question. (your job is to do the
“work” for the reader—s/he should not have to make this connection. You as the writer
do it for him/her. This enables your voice to be heard and demonstrates your solid
understanding of the subject matter.)
3. Implications for Further Research
a. In most literature reviews, there is a section called “implications for further research.”
This is where you will point out the holes that exist in what has currently been
presented. (e.g., studies that need to address building positive student relationships
with culturally diverse students when such cultural norms are unknown to the teacher).
i. In addition to pointing out the holes, you address specific areas that need to be
addressed. In essence you create new research questions to be pursued in order to fill in
the gaps that currently exist.
ii. You may also include your own theories and/or ideas for filling in the gaps. For
people who are conducting their own research studies, this is an area they must address.
4. Conclusion
a. Highlight the points discussed in the body. Remember to tie the info back to your
research question, essentially providing an answer to the research question in this
section.
