RESEARCH PAPER
Learning Objectives:
• Locate relevant information sources
• Identify key terms and case studies (examples) associated with comparative politics
• Hone analytical and writing skills that may be utilized in academic/non-academic settings
Research Paper Guidelines
5
• Students may select any topic related to comparative politics. Topics may address particular regions
(Southeast Asia, Central America, Eastern Europe, etc.), country (not the U.S.) or a topic
associated with two countries (may include the U.S.). The topic may be one associated with domestic
politics and policymaking, culture, education/legal systems, economics, etc. (See Potential Topics
below).
• All Paper Topics must be approved in advance of the paper due date or a five-point penalty will
be assessed when grading the paper.
Papers must be 15-20 (numbered) pages in length, double-spaced, in Times New Roman 12-inch font,
and with one-inch margins.
Students should identify and properly cite a minimum of 5 sources, one of which must be from an
academic journal article or a book located on Google Scholar or in political science databases found via
the UNG library search engine including JSTOR. (See Paper Sources below)
Acceptable citation includes APA and MLA format but not endnotes or footnotes. Do not display the
entire web address in the body of the paper, but rather abbreviate the source (CNN) or provide a
hyperlink (click here) with the full web address provided in the works cited. While sub-headers are
welcomed, the paper should not be an annotated outline but rather read like an essay.
In addition, an abstract (100-150 words in length), separate title page, and works-cited page must
accompany the paper and are not included in the page count.
Students must submit the paper as a MS Word document or a PDF in the drop box on D2L where
they are uploaded automatically onto Turnitin.com.
I will review rough drafts as time permits. The research paper will be worth 100 points or 20% of the
semester grade.
The Research Paper is due in the D2L drop box (automatically linked to Turnitin.com) on
November 16 by 11:59pm.
I will assess papers according to the following criteria: Coherent Writing/Sentence
Structure, Proper Grammar & Spelling, Organization, Accuracy of Content, Quality
of Analysis, and Proper Use of Citation.
POTENTIAL PAPER TOPICS
When submitting a topic from the list below to me via email, provide sufficient info in order to succinctly
convey what you will explore in the paper. Don’t just say gender equality-what about it? Don’t select Poverty or
Workplace Conditions, pick one or the other, and then elaborate on what you will be exploring.
Economic and Fiscal Challenges
Interest Groups/Social Movements (Communications, Impact on Policymaking, etc.)
Education Policy and Practices
Providing Health Care or Social Welfare Programs
Poverty or Workplace Conditions
Gender Equality or the status of other Identity Groups
Energy or Environmental Policy
Elections and Campaigns/Political Parties
Culture: (Religion, Sports, the Arts)
Law and Justice
INSERT YOUR IDEA HERE!
PAPER SOURCES
• Students may consult (when applicable) websites for IGOs such as the UN or World Bank, NGOs such
as Human Rights Watch, or regional organizations such as the African Union or the EU. Please let me
know if I can assist with identifying these and other resources.
6
• The BBC, CNN, the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, The Diplomat, the
Economist, Foreign Policy, The National, Reuters, and the Financial Times are potential resources for
current global events. If using Galileo, select political science under subject area to narrow your
database search to include JSTOR and other relevant sources. You may also locate periodicals such as
The Economist for free in Galileo and avoid registration and fees for viewing its content on the web.
Utilize other UNG resources, including the Writing Center as needed.
• Balkan Insight, The Guardian, Emerging Europe, Euro News, Euractiv, France 24, dw.com and
politico.eu are additional sources for European news.
• For a list of potential news outlets in other regions, please click on the following links:
Asia:
Latin American/Caribbean:
Africa: .
• The texts, dictionaries, and encyclopedias do not count as sources. WIKEPEDIA IS NOT AN
ACCEPTABLE SOURCE!
PAY attention to the instructions carefully. Pay attention to the topic…. Law and Justice for cartels in Colombia
