The+research-based+position+paper

//**A pathfinder is just the beginning of building your bibliography.**//

The basic expectations for a research based essay are as follows: 1) select topic; 2) formulate questions you wish to explore; 3) gather information from a variety of sources; 4) analyze your information; 5) formulate a ** position ** ; 6) compile evidence to support your position; 7) develope outline to plan your paper; 8) rough draft(s); 9) final draft.


 * // Sample //**// : // 1) Topic: schizophrenia; 2) Are there successful treatments for schizophrenia? 3) consult available sources library, check the subject/index in the psychology books in the Library Media Center-- see Ms. Dalbec for help finding sources; go online for current information, use the online sources of the Library Media Center; current magazines and newspapers; 4) read and take notes, preferably using note cards that indicate the source, information and page numbers- use Noodletools ; 5) write your thesis statement; 6) compile evidence/information that will best support your thesis; 7) map out your paper in outline form so that there is clarity to your position; 8) write a rough draft; 9)read draft over yourself and have it read by another person before making appropriate changes for its final form.

Possible focus questions for your research include:
 * What causes eating disorders? Are there effective treatments?
 * How credible is body language as a form of unconscious communication?
 * What is the impact of aging on memory?
 * How does perceived intelligence impact academic expectations?
 * Does subliminal advertising really work?

Reference materials
This is the place to start any research project. media type="custom" key="21709322" align="left"

Search our huge reference e-book collection for your topic by just typing your keyword in the box on this button.


 * Encyclopaedia Britannica
 * **R 150 GAL** //The Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology//. Strickland, B. 2001.
 * **R 150 COR** Popular Psychology: an encyclopedia. Cordon, L. 2005.

Non-Fiction Books
We have **many** non-fiction books about this topic are found in various sections of the library. Be sure to do a keyword search for "psychology" using the online catalog (**Destiny**) to find more materials.
 * **155.3 S** //The psychology of sex and gender.// Smith, B. 2007.
 * **302 B** //Social Psychology//. Baron, R. 2008.
 * **614 E** //Criminal Psychology and Personality Profiling//. Esherick, J. 2005.
 * **342.73 C** //Critical Race Realism: intersections of psychology, race, and law//. 2008.
 * **339.4 M** //Spent: sex, evolution and consumer behavior.// 2010.

WHS databases
Log into any of these databases by clicking on the link. If you are away from home, you will have to use a remote username and/or password. These can be found at the top of the database page.
 * S tudent Edition- Infotrac resource for finding reference, news, multimedia and primary source resources on all subjects.
 * SIRS Issues Researcher- Features viewpoint articles, topic overviews, full-text magazine, academic journal, and newspaper articles, statistics, images and links to websites.
 * [|Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center]Features articles to help you write persuasive research papers.

Useful websites

 * [|Hippocampus]click on their psychology collection and browse for information about your topic. They have a great section on Nature and Nurture of Behavior.
 * American Psychological Association
 * Harvard School of Public Health Magazine - use their site as a search engine or browse articles from their archive.
 * Health Magazine- use their index for finding information on your topic.
 * TRY USING SWEETSEARCH for your search engine to find more academic articles.

Wayland Public Library
Minuteman Catalog- Try searching for behavioral psychology or other keywords for your topic.