`TIPS FOR RESEARCH PAPERS

 

FORMAT.  With reference to margins, pagination, arrangement of footnotes (endnotes), bibliography, and other matters of style, follow Kate Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.  Scripture references, however, may be given in the simple manner used in the textbook (i.e., book [of Bible], chapter, and verse[s], e.g., Isa 7:3-9)--never by citing page number in your particular edition of the Bible.  Single Scripture citations, or even two or three, can convenien­tly be given in the text of the paper (preferably enclosed in parentheses), but if several are grouped together, they should be put in a footnote.  Be sure to give credit to the proper non-biblical sources for all the data drawn from them; quotations must always be put in quotation marks and attributed to the proper source.  N.B.  A brief research paper does not permit space for extensive quotation or paraphrase of other works.  "Endnotes" in place of footnotes are acceptable for this research report.  For proper form of footnote/endnote for a first footnote/endnote reference and for bibliography entries, see below.  N.B. Reference in parentheses in the text in place of footnote/endnote is not acceptable procedure.  Your paper should have a cover sheet with title of paper, your name, etc.  Staple pages at upper left corner (no special folder wanted).  Note that there should be a two-inch margin at the top of the first page of text.

 

The proper format for footnote/endnote for first reference is:

(book): 1. James Barr, Fundamentalism (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1978), page##.

(article): 2.  Adela Yarbro Collins, "Reading the Book of Revelation in the 20th Century," Interpretation 40 (1986) 229-242.

(N.B. After first full reference, later references to the same work should be in the short form.)

 

The same items in a bibliography:

(book):  Barr, James. Fundamentalism.  Philadelphia: Westminster, 1978.

(article): Collins, Adela Yarbro. "Reading the Book of Revelation in the 20th Century." Interpretation 40 (1986) 229-242.

 

 

TOPIC.  Choose your topic carefully.  It should be one you can investigate with interest and profit.  It should be sufficiently narrow in scope to allow you to discuss it in some depth and detail in a brief paper.  (See next page for suggestions.)  You must give me your topic in writing no later than one week before midterm; two weeks after midterm you must hand in a tentative outline and at least a partial bibliography.

 

SECONDARY SOURCES.  Vast quantities of second rate material and other garbage has appeared in print.  Avoid wasted effort by selecting only those works which are really worthwhile.  In general, avoid older works unless you know that they possess enduring value; and all you read should be carefully evaluated.  A good starting point can often be found in biblical dictionaries (e.g., t hose by Hartman, McKenzie, The Anchor Bible Dictionary, Harper's Bible Dictionary, and encyclope­dias that contain articles on Scripture (e.g., The New Catholic Encyclopedia); most of these will give further useful bibliograp­hy. Check your reserve list for useful works.  A very useful bibliographical tool is Old Testament Abstracts; it provides summaries and bibliographical data on currently published books and articles in the OT area. Available on line at Mullen Library; it contains all the references from 1978 to the present and is "searchable."   To access, go to CUA Homepage, click on “Academics,” then “Libraries, then “Articles Databases,” then “Databases N-Z,” then “Old Testament Abstracts,” then type in topic.

A research paper worthy of the name should be based on some specialized studies in addition to the more general works.  Intelligent use of a biblical concordance may be very useful for some topics.  References from websites should NOT be used except under very specific conditions: the author should be named and should be known to be a competent authority (just as in the case of books or articles used) and published works should be identified with the same information as any other citation (i.e., city, publisher, date).  References that are simply of the http://www. sort are NOT acceptable.

 

GENERAL.  Be sure that your paper has organization and structure; it should have a clear starting point and should go somewhere.   If the title of your paper doesn't clearly indicate the matter being investigated, be sure to explain it in the first paragraph.  Before actually writing the paper, you should have an outline of the manner in which you intend to develop the material.  The development should be apparent to the discerning reader, though sub‑headings may sometimes be usefully supplied.

 

The following are sample suggestions to stimulate your imagina­tion to find better ones; many of these are too broad to be properly treated in a brief research paper, but one aspect of a topic may be chosen for treatment:

 

The Fall Narrative                                 Isa 9:1‑6 or any other particular passage

The Tower of Babel                              The Golden Calf & the Bulls of Jeroboam

Ritual of Blood Sacrifice                       Conflict between David and Saul          

Genesis 1 & Enuma Elish                      The "Protoevangelium" The Anawim

Concept of Death in the OT      Problem of Suffering                 Melchizedeq

The Red Sea Crossing              Significance of Circumcision

The Sacrifice of Abel                            The Joseph Narrative    Elihu Speeches in Job

Joshua & Jericho                                  Poetry in the OT                       Sacrifice of Isaac

Jeremiah & New Covenant                   Music in the OT                        Role of Sacrifice

Qoheleth & Tradition                            Social Status of Women            Dead Sea Scrolls & OT

Code of Hammurabi & OT Law           Covenant in OT                        The Servant Songs

Corporate Personality in OT                 Hosea's Marriage                     Covenant & Law

Yahweh's Name in Exod 3:14               Herem (ban) in OT                   The Paschal Lamb

The Benjaminite War                            Census in the OT                      Vocation of Gideon

Miracle of the Sun (Josh 10:12f)           Polygamy in the OT                  Altars in the OT

2 Samuel 7 & Messianism                     Interp. of Cant. of Cant.            Concept of Blessing

Clean and Unclean                                Amarna Letters             Apodictic Laws

Angels in the OT                                   The Ten Commandments          Zadokite Priesthood

Hebrew/Habiru                         Power of Word                        Election of Zion

Ark of the Covenant                             Urim & Thummim                     Theophany

Psalms of Lament                                 David's Character

 

Your  paper may be returned to you for rewriting, correction or completion if it is substantially in excess of the prescribed length, lacks pagina­tion, bibliography, footnotes, etc., or does not provide these in an acceptable form.

 

Your paper will deserve a low or failing grade if it fails to give credit to the sources from which it was drawn, consists too largely of quotations or paraphrase, is based on poor or anti­quated sources, or has little or no discernible structure.

 

P.S.      A research paper differs considerably from an essay (much more from a homily) methodologically and in other ways.  If you have any doubts about the differences between a research paper and an essay, be sure to clear them up before proceed­ing too far.

 

The paper is due one week before the last class.  Be sure to save a back-up copy in case anything is lost.

Check list:

1)      Cover sheet?

2)      Pagination?

3)      Footnotes and biblio in proper format?

4)      Anything in notes or biblio simply http://www...... without author and publishers data?

5)      Backup copy?