Research Project Parameters
Purpose
The purpose of this research project is ultimately to state and prove a claim. This paper is not an essay or overview of a
topic, nor is it a personal narrative using the first person; it is intended to be a report on the findings about a topic. The
paper will be well-researched and include a body of knowledge on the topic. Instead of just writing a report or essay, the
writer will make a claim and use facts, statistics, the results of studies, and opinions from expert sources to support the
thesis/claim. It should reflect your understanding of research methods, legal research methods and legal studies topics
learned in the course.
The project should reflect familiarity with scholarly research on the proposed topic and should discuss scholars’ opinions
and findings about the topic while analyzing thoughts. The research should be synthesized so the paper contains intelligent,
insightful observations about the topic. This project requires evidence to be integrated with insights, thoughts and beliefs
that should be backed up by the ideas and information in the sources relied on to make your point. It should not be a
regurgitation of information. The purpose is to research and interpret research to make a significant contribution to the
literature on the topic. Ultimately, the project should be well-researched, well-written, authoritative and interesting to read.
Directions
Your paper should focus on a law you think should be changed. It must be based on the topic you chose for the formal topic
proposal. You must make an argument or take a side on this topic. You will identify the legal issue, and a specific law that
mandates that legal issue and argue that it should be changed. Depending on the type of law chosen you will discuss how
that change would happen, i.e., new legislation or overturning an existing opinion. You will discuss the law and its
background. You will do a literature review that surveys the scholarly literature around your topic to synthesize and analyze
how other researchers have approached this issue and questions similar to your own. You will also discuss the methods
you used to do the research for this assignment. Lastly your analysis should discuss your stance on the topic and the
reasons that the law should be changed and integrate the legal theories and philosophy learned in the course.
This is not an essay, term paper or report about a subject, there must be an argument. You must make an argument, and
use scholarly research to help strengthen the credibility of your argument. For instance, do not just explain that global
warming is bad, explain WHY it is bad, who it affects, what causes it, and what you think can be done about it. An argument
against global warming should identify a law in place that impacts global warming and discuss how and why it should be
changed. You will need to analyze the law from a socio-legal perspective based on the readings and theories presented in
the course.
The research paper should include these sections:
Introduction
This is the polished version of Paragraphs One & Two in the Annotated Bibliography Assignment. Please ensure that
feedback from Professor Clay has been incorporated into these paragraphs. The introduction should summarize
and give context to the topic for the reader. Briefly summarize findings on the subject – If the sources disagree about
the value of or perspective on the subject, point out the areas of disagreement. The introduction should not
meander around the point of the paper.
The introduction should also “hook” the reader. Think about starting with example, a quote, a statistic, a question,
a fact, an opposing opinion, etc. Also, use concrete language and specific example to grab the reader. It should end
with a solid statement– something that makes the think, or at the very least makes understand the topic and want
to read more about it. There should be no quotes in the conclusion, unless it is there as an “attention-getter”.
Body of the Paper
The body should include any relevant background facts, background law, a literature review, research methods,
and a discussion and analysis. Use subheadings, perfected from the annotated outline, to separate different
aspects of the project which support the thesis. The body should provide supporting evidence to support the thesis,
in a logical, developed manner. The paper should cover the history or explanation of the issue at hand; how it
became a problem and how to solve the problem. Include a literature review that discusses the main scholarly
research on the topic and a methodology section that discusses how you did your research to get to the conclusion.
Include an introduction and conclusion that present and summarize the problem. It should include the following
parts:
1. Background
This section summarizes any information that the reader must understand about the topic. Think of this as
the “fact” section. Here you are presenting the problem and defining it. Here is where statistics, examples and
information about your topic or the phenomena are presented.
This section should be around 1600 words in the FINAL project
This should expand on the information from the topic proposal, annotated outline/bibliography and the
preliminary legal research assignment
Include information about the law or laws that apply to the topic – this will ultimately be a synthesized
version of your Preliminary Legal Research Analysis Assignment – make sure it discusses the law that
you found, what it does and who it applies to and give context
2. Literature Review
The literature review should be a descriptive summary of the research previously studied about this topic. The
literature review should demonstrate that you can summarize the scholarly literature on your topic, organize
and analyze this literature and the main methodological approaches used to investigate your topic, and provide
a rationale for your own proposed research. The purpose of the literature review is to inform readers of the
significant knowledge and ideas that have been established. This section should compare, contrast and/or
connect findings identified when reviewing scholarly work. This section should include ONLY scholarly literature
(books, book chapters, peer reviewed/law review articles).
This should be around 1000 words in the FINAL project
Please include sub-sub-headings that organize the literature
Articles should be organized by sorting and classifying their findings meaningfully—always consider the
original topic and research question when choosing sources and including them in the literature review
Remember the 5 C’s of Writing: Cite, Compare, Contrast, Critique, and Connect
3. Research Plan/Methods
This section should discuss the methods and sources used to do this research, include specific references to
sites, databases, key texts or authors integral to the project. Include information on the research you engaged
in and how you found the laws and scholarly research that apply to your topic. Include here also references to
less traditional research methods– fieldwork, interviews, surveys, etc. — applicable to your topic.
This section should be about 400 words in the FINAL project
Explain the methods used to answer your research question
Address the limitations of these methods, and any anticipated issues
Include specific examples of texts, methodologies, and search strategies
Give the rationale for this particular research plan
4. Analysis & Discussion
This is the crux of your paper. This section should include a discussion of your topic and the reasons that you
think that the law should be changed. Additionally, it should also address the background and social context
of the law. Using concepts learned in the course you should discuss the societal norms and values surround
the law (or your proposed change to it) and a discussion of what the law and its changes would have on
society.
This section should be at least 2500 words in the FINAL project
Do not just show that it fits the law; also persuade your reader that it’s practically and morally sound
(this is the policy argument).
Using the sources from your annotated bibliography and literature review explain the topic you are
writing about
Presentation of your position
o Presents and supports each reason
o Each reason is tied to a value or belief held by the audience
Summarize Opposing Views
o Refute or concede to opposing views
o Show weakness in opposing views
o May concede to some strengths in the opposing view
Conclusion
The conclusion should NOT be merely a summary of the paper, nor should it be a repeat of the introduction. It
should be thoughtful and interesting and wrap up the research project. The conclusion should synthesize the earlier
sections of the paper while addressing broader implications (i.e., the “So What?” of the project). It should make the
reader understand why the information and analysis in the paper matters and makes sense. This is the last chance
to inform and persuade the reader. The conclusion should convey a sense of closure, and explain the implications.
The conclusion is not the place to make a new argument or add new content not previously discussed
Sums up argument
Leaves a strong, lasting impression
Calls for action or relates the topic to a larger context of issues
Bibliography/Works Cited
The bibliography is a list of all the sources used in the project. It should come at the very end of the assignment
after the paper and any appendices. You may include sources from your annotated bibliography. This is not a
regurgitation of your annotated bibliography assignment, and you should not simply cut and paste your annotated
bibliography into the end of this project.
The bibliography is NOT included in the word count for this assignment
Every source relied on in the paper should be included in the bibliography
The bibliography should be a separate section of the paper at the end of the paper, it should be labeled
Bibliography
The bibliography should be a comprehensive of all sources relied on for the research paper – it should
expand upon the sources from the annotated bibliography assignment
There must be a bibliography at the end, in addition to the footnotes/endnotes used to cite sources
within the paper
Use either Chicago style for the bibliography and footnotes
Deliverables
Save and submit as a WORD document with the file name: {last name} – JLC281.004 – Spring 2023 – Research Project
Draft
Page length: there is no page length for this assignment. The paper itself should be at least 5,500 words (excluding the
bibliography). The project will be graded on the word count and the quality of its distribution, not the number of pages.
Citation Format: The Chicago citation format is required. This includes footnotes or endnotes and a bibliography. (NO intext citations are allowed)
Font & Margins: All margins must be 1 inch around. Any font may be used as long as it is readable (and NOT Comic Sans).
Formatting: Don’t forget the power of visual presentation. How the paper looks reflects on the quality of the paper, its
argument and the writer. Think about things such as whether subheads should be bold? Should there be bullet lists and
whether they should be indented or flush against the left margin? Think about how to break the paper into sections,
consider using formatting tools such as horizontal lines, color, boxes, shading, etc. to format the text. Think about
embedding relevant images (which should be cited of course) — not as decoration — but as evidence for the argument?
Consider using techniques learned in the Linkedin Learning exercise.
Grammar & Style: The paper will be graded based on grammar and style. Make sure the paper is proofread. If necessary
consult the AU Writing Center for help. Be aware of style, language, word choice, sentence structure, diction, syntax, and
punctuation and ensure they align with standard usage in academic writing. Also, please do not use 1st or 2nd person
pronouns: you, I, we, me, us, our, mine, your, etc.
Reminders & Information
Sources:
Include at least 20 sources in the final paper (this is a floor not a ceiling – feel free to use more than 20 sources). It is
expected that you use the sources from previous assignments in the research project. Those sources should be
supplemented with additional research sources. It is mandatory that a variety of scholarly, popular press, internet and legal
research resources will be used. Do not just choose sources that you will use once you must integrate them into the different
portions of your paper.
There is no limit on the number of sources, but they should all be relevant to the topic and not just included to make the
bibliography more substantial. Sources must include:
At least 2 sources must be a book or treatise (print or e-book)
At least 8 sources must be peer-reviewed, scholarly journal articles (this guide can help determine which sources
are scholarly – http://guides.lib.utexas.edu/evaluate) (Select the number and type/mix of sources required)
At least 1 source must be a primary legal source (case, statute, administrative regulation or court/procedural rule)
At least 2 sources must be a secondary legal source, i.e., treatise or law review article
At least 1 source must be a secondary statistical source (Statistics should be integrated into the research project.
This does not require a full-blown statistical analysis, but particularly in the background section, statistics will
explain the problem or its solution.)
At least 2 sources that oppose your argument
At least 2 news articles with background information about the topic
The remaining sources may be government or NGO reports, web pages or other informative material (keep in
mind “information literacy”
If having trouble selecting sources please make an appointment with Professor Clay or our librarian, Olivia Ivey
([email protected]) to help with source collection.
Integrating sources:
Synthesize the information gained from sources and weave them into the discourse, sources should be used as evidence
to support key points. The paper should not be a string of quotes, because this shows no attempt to understand or analyze
the information. Make sure to use original ideas and words; quotes and paraphrases should only support words and ideas.
Avoiding Plagiarism:
Use sources responsibly and follow guidelines for quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing. ALL SOURCES MUST BE CITED.
There is no limit on the number of citations (footnotes or endnotes) allowed. Attribute all work and thought that is not your
own to sources. Please refer to the CREDO exercises, readings and lecture on summarizing, paraphrasing, quoting and
avoiding plagiarism.
Here are some reminders on avoiding plagiarism:
Cite NO need to cite
When using or referring to somebody else’s words or
ideas from a magazine, book, newspaper, song, TV
When writing about your own experiences,
observations, insights, thoughts or conclusions about
a subject
program, movie, Web page, computer program, letter,
advertisement, or any other medium
Using information gained through interviewing another
person
Copying the exact words or a “unique phrase” from
somewhere
Paraphrasing or summarizing another’s work
Reprinting any diagrams, illustrations, charts, and
pictures
Using any statistics
When using “common knowledge”
When compiling generally accepted facts
When writing up your own experimental results
Appendices:
Graphics or charts should only be used if they can clarify concepts in the paper. Do not use them just to take up space or
shirk on writing. If including large graphics or charts, they should be in separate appendices and labeled A, B, and so on.
Refer to these appendices when the issue is discussed in the body of the paper. Make sure to give any graphs or charts
context and to cite appropriately.
Project Checklist (Not comprehensive—just some things to consider)
Does the bibliography have substantial entries that support the thesis?
Is the thesis stated in the introduction?
Is the evidence properly cited?
Is it clear to the reader what law applies?
Is the paper properly numbered (page numbers)?
Is the first person used? Contractions?
Is the evidence derived from valid sources?
Are statistics included?
Are endnotes/footnotes used?
Is the law discussed correctly?