Major Research Paper (MRP)

1. Major Research Paper (MRP) For Secondary One Integrated Humanities Ng Seaw Choon 27 July 2005 ngsc@hci.edu.sg

2. Course Outline • Introduction to MRP– facilitated by Mr Ng Seaw Choon • Research process– facilitated by Mr Ng Seaw Choon • Preliminary search– facilitated by Mr Ng Seaw Choon • Research proposal– facilitated by Mr Samuel Lim • Proposal paper critique– facilitated by Mrs Laura Ng

3. Delivery Mode • Lecture-Tutorial system • Next lecture: 3 Aug (Wed), 2pm, audi • Attendance for all lectures will be taken • Lecture outlines will be given for all lectures • Tutorials will be facilitated by respective Humanities teachers • Tutorial 1: facilitated by Geog teachers

4. Introduction to

5. What is MRP? • It is a piece of academic writing that integrates external sources (facts and expert opinions) and your own insights about a particular topic.

6. Reasons for writing a MRP • Provides you with the opportunity to explore your interests and abilities. • Equips you with the ability to apply what you have learnt in meaningful and real world contexts. This will enable you to develop problem-solving and decision-making skills.

7. Reasons for writing a MRP • Engages you in the process of creating relationships among various sources of information. • Equips you with the life-long skills: • To discern facts from opinions • To evaluate issues • To uncover the assumptions and biases underlying various reports • To develop one’s independent learning and research skills

8. Brainstorming for research topics Subject Topic Narrowing

9. SUBJECT versus TOPIC • Subject • general area of knowledge/study • broad and general • Examples: Civil war, Environment, Ecology, Foreign Policy, Natural disasters, etc.

10. SUBJECT versus TOPIC • Topic • the specific issue discussed Subject The Civil War • Topic • Causes of the American Civil War • The role of Napoleon Bonaparte in the • French Revolution

11. SUBJECT versus TOPIC Subject Environment • Topic • Environmental and social effects of • light pollution • Government’s role in urban conservation Subject Ecology • Topic • Saving endangered species • Is recycling worth the effort Subject Foreign Policy • Topic • The US’ stand on the establishment of • a Palestinian state

12. Shaping your ideas . . .

13. Narrowing to the final research topic Example: • Dominic was given the theme – Relationship, and he thought of “political relationship” – a very broad subject. • By talking to friends, surfing the internet, reading articles, he came up with these ideas: Subject: Strained political relations Question: What do I want to find out about strained political relations?

14. Narrowing to the final research topic – the case of Dominic Possible specific topics: • Sino-Japanese political relations • Impacts of Sino-Japanese political relations • Singapore-Malaysian relations • Role of Junichiro Koizumi in Sino-Japanese relations • Religion and its impact on political relations Reading over the list Dominic realized that some of his ideas were still very broad: e.g. Sino-Japanese political relations is large enough to be the subject of a book

15. Narrowing to the final research topic – the case of Dominic One evening, Dominic watched the news on the “Textbook row” between China and Japan when the idea came to him: Was the strained Sino-Japanese political relation due to Japan’s move to rewrite history? Was there any other factor? Is China angry with Japan for other reasons? Dominic further narrowed the topic to: “Causes of Strained Sino-Japanese Relations”

16. Factors determining choice of finalized topic The finalized research topic SHOULD: • Have a specific issue/focus • Have enough scope • Have adequate sources • Have an original point of view (if possible)

17. INSPIRATION for research questions • Observation of the world • Previous research • Practical concerns • Personal interest

18. Steps in developing a research proposal AT A GLANCE Step 1 Brainstorming for research topics Narrowing a subject into a topic and the final research topic Step 2 Searching for inspiration To help formulate research questions Step 3 Preliminary search Ascertaining research & resource potential Step 4 Writing the research proposal

19. Preliminary Search • To determine whether your topic has research potential. • To determine if there are adequate resources to support your research before you throw your heart and soul into the research proper.

20. Sources of Information • Primary Sources vs Secondary Sources • Primary Source • the original document or account itself. • e.g. novels, poems, plays, diaries, letters, or any other creative work, as well as interviews with people “on the scene” • Secondary Source • Ones that comment on and interpret primary sources • e.g. books, journals, encyclopedia articles

21. Channels for retrieving sources of information

22. Samples of Topics by your seniors • The Singapore-Malaysia Conflict: The Media’s Role in the Worsening Ties • Prison Writers and how their experiences in prison affect them • The Coffin is too Big for the Hole: The land planning and socio-political situation • Urban Primacy: An Urban Crisis or an Urban Oasis? • Global Warming: Environmental Crisis vs Economic Human Wants • Demographic Crisis in Japan: An Economic Cause-Effect Perspective

23. Major Research Paper (MRP) For Secondary One Integrated Humanities Ng Seaw Choon 27 July 2005 ngsc@hci.edu.sg