As mentioned
in the syllabus, the
research paper assignment is like a corporate “white paper”. A white paper is
an analysis of a problem that has yet to be addressed or, in the opinion of the
writer, has been previously misdiagnosed. A
white paper is a deeply researched report on a specific topic that presents a
solution to a problem within an industry.
The paper should
have the following components:
- Title page
- Introduction (including “Problem Statement”)
- Background (research-heavy)
- Proposed solution
- Conclusion
- References page with references or citations
Title Page:
The cover page, and more specifically, your
title, is first thing your readers will see of your white paper. Make it
eye-catching, interesting, and welcoming. Your title or headline takes center
stage on your cover, so pay special attention to it.
Introduction/Problem statement:
The problem statement specifies the issue
the white paper will address. The problem needs to be defined and placed into a
context to ensure it’s understood by the reader. Be concise and inviting when
you write the introduction, be it a welcome note or an abstract. Include why
you wrote the white paper and what you hope the reader will get out of it.
Remember that the solution is provided at the end of your paper, not in the
introduction, so don’t give too much away in the introduction.
Background:
This section provides the background
information required for the reader to grasp the problem and, ultimately, the
solution. The content may be detailed and technical or broad and high-level.
The content typically depends on the problem you are addressing. Research plays
a very big part in this section of the paper. Reading up on content that’s
already published on your topic will inspire you to come up with unique angles.
It will also help you pinpoint content gaps, which you can address in your
white paper.
Solution:
Following the background, the solution should
then be presented. It is developed and argued for using the gathered evidence
and the expertise of the author, based largely in part on the research
conducted. The solution provides the ‘ta-da’ moment of the white paper.
Conclusion:
This section summarizes the white paper’s
major findings. Recommendations based on the solution should also be included. In
the end, a good white paper will give the reader an “Aha!” moment upon
completion.
References:
All sources used to develop the white
paper must be cited in this section. It adds validity to the document. It also gives
the reader content for further research. Remember that you need to cite any
information that is not public knowledge and that you didn’t know before
beginning your research. I’m not overly concerned with how you cite your
references (MLA, APA or otherwise), but I’m very concerned that you
cite your references. The reader should be able to locate
and read your sources, based on your citation.
To cite your sources, use either annotation
with footnotes, or annotations and a final section listing sources. The most
important thing to consider when citing sources is that they are accurate and
relevant.
Research:
The selected topic must be comprehensively researched. Pull
information from online references, industry resources, business journals, and
the course or other textbooks. White papers are data-focused, so they should be
supported by significant research.
If you’re copying quotes and statements
from thought leaders and experts in the field, be sure to mention them by name.
Apart from your regular research online or at the library, a great way to find
reliable sources is to read journals and reports already published on the same
topic.
For a more personalized approach, conduct
interviews with people that work within the realm of your topic. Connecting
with top-level personalities might be difficult, but if you construct and
deliver your angle convincingly, they might just answer your call (or email.)
Formatting:
Your paper should be 7-8 pages in length using 11 font
and standard margins. The paper should be single spaced and page numbers should
be included.
Consider using subheadings inside the
sections to break up the text so it’s easier to read. Using subheadings is
vital for the reader. It helps with information retention and research
purposes. A reader might want to highlight specific areas and subheadings will
make it easier to find relevant notes later. Remember to never skip the
proofreading and editing stage. All the work you’ve put in with the research
and writing can be ruined with silly typos or a duplicated sentence.
Grading:
Grading on this
assignment will be based upon a variety of factors including:
§ the
ability to think
critically about a topic and the sources necessary to study that topic
§ the ability to combine information and
ideas into a focused, organized, supported argument
§ the ability to follow the format and write
a grammatical, stylistic, mechanically correct paper
§ the ability to document and list sources
accurately and usefully