Outline for Research Paper
240:289 Seminar: Writing a Research Paper
20 points

Writing your research paper requires careful forethought.  Use the outline below to provide a framework for your paper.  This outline may not reflect all of the research you will be including in your final paper, but it should show that you have done enough research that you know the main topics and subtopics that you will be using.

Use the Graduate Paper: Review of the Literature format that you will be able to find in the UNI Guidelines for Graduate Research.

Your Outline should include the following ingredients:
  • Title
  • Complete the sentence "The Purpose of this Paper is . . ."
  • Introduction
    • Describe the problem
    • Why is this analysis appropriate?
    • Importance of the problem
    • The scope of the review
    • How the results of the review will be applied.
    • Identify the research questions you hope to answer
  • Methodology
    • Identify the method used to identify and locate sources;
    • Explain the rationale used for selecting the sources to analyze;
    • Explain the procedures to be used for analyzing the sources;
    • Identify the criteria for evaluating the information found.
  • Analysis and Discussion (General points to consider)
    • Present evidence and ideas from sources
    • Concepts are organized by sub-topics
    • Sources are grouped by concepts instead of individual entities
    • Grouping may be related to research questions.
    • Validity of sources is stated to support your ultimate answers to your questions.
    • Cite each of your statements by placing the number(s) identifying the reference(s) which support your statement.
  • Conclusions and Recommendations
    • Identify and synthesize findings
    • Systematically answer your research questions
    • Provide recommendations for
      • Future research
      • Classroom applications
      • Educational policies and procedures,
      • Program revisons, or
      • Other warranted situations
  • References
        • List each of your references using APA format (or as close to it as you can get.)
        • Number each of your references so you can cite your evidence in the Analysis and Discussion section.
  • Submit
    • Submit your outline in the eLearning Assignment drop box by class time on the due date.
    • Name your outline file with your last name and then "outline" (i.e., zeitzoutline.isf).  Include the .isf extension at the end.


 

.pdf version of the
Literature Review outline template.

 Student example of a completed outline. (Pay attention to the Analysis and Discussion section.) Download the Inspiration template. (.zip file)
   

pts   pts  
pts

Title/Purpose

 

    
2
 Title is identified AND Purpose of paper is described.
1
Title is identified OR Purpose of paper is described.
Introduction
 3
  • Problem being investigated is fully described.
  • Importance of the problem is fully described.
  • Scope (areas of interest) of the review is identified.
2

One of the following is not fully described:

  • Problem being investigated.
  • Importance of the problem.
    Scope of the review.
  • Scope of the review
1

Two of the following are not fully described:

  • Problem being investigated.
  • Importance of the problem.
    Scope of the review.
  • Scope of the review
Research Questions
3
 3 or more research questions are listed which correspond with the scope of the review.
2
 2 research questions are listed which correspond with the scope of the review.
1
 1 research question is listed which correspond with the scope of the review.
Methodology
3

 

  • Methods used to identify sources. (DBs used etc.)
  • Descriptors identified

 
2

One of the following is described:

  • Methods used to identify sources. (DBs used etc.)
    OR
  • Descriptors identified
 

 

 

Analysis and Discussion
3
  • Evidence is organized by topic areas described in the scope.
  • Evidence is cited in relation to the references at the end of the outline.
  • Sequence within the subtopics makes sense.
2
 2 of the followings are true:
  • Evidence is organized by topic areas described in the scope.
  • Evidence is cited in relation to the references at the end of the outline.
  • Sequence within the subtopics makes sense.
1
 1 of the following is true:
  • Evidence is organized by topic areas described in the scope.
  • Evidence is cited in relation to the references at the end of the outline.
  • Sequence within the subtopics makes sense.
Conclusions & Recommendations
3
  • Preliminary conclusions are made.
  • Preliminary recommendations for research or application are made.
2

1 of the following is true:

  • Preliminary conclusions are made.
  • Preliminary recommendations for research or application are made.
1
  

References

 
3
 6 or more references listed
2
 4 - 5 References listed
1
 2 - 3 References listed
This page was last updated by Dr. Z on 3/9/09