HOW TO WRITE AN FINAL ASSIGNMENT/ PROJECT PAPER/ TERM PAPER

1. As a first step, Read, read, read!!! Read from a variety of sources, including books, scholarly journals, business and trade journals, newspapers and websites, making notes of helpful passages or references as you go. These passages and references can later form much of the basis of the evidence underlying the argument in your paper. 2. Peruse the current literature (academic and practical) on your topic, looking for controversies and contentious issues. You can narrow the scope of your investigations by selecting a specific issue within your topic. 3. Justify, in a sentence or two, why you want to research the issue. 4. Think of a central hypothesis, thesis or theme to your paper. 5. Frame about 5 focus questions surrounding the main issue, so that you can focus your research, and your paper does not digress into areas which are only peripherally relevant. 6. As a very broad guide, your paper should be structured along the following lines:
Abstract 1. INTRODUCTION Background Purpose / objective of Paper Scope of Paper Structure of Paper CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK (or theoretical approach) (Sub-headings depend on the conceptual framework used, but try to answer the who, what, when, where, why, how questions that people are likely to ask about the framework. This section might include a discussion of the historical background, a literature review, and how the issue under discussion has become a problem in recent times. Are there differences in opinion between relevant experts in the area? Why? Can these be resolved at theoretical level?) MINIMUM 5 LITERATURE REVIEW IS REQUIRED. THE EVIDENCE (This may be a review of the theory, law or empirical evidence in the area, generally linked in with your literature review. The focus is on marshalling evidence in support of your central hypothesis, thesis or theme). 3. METHODOLOGY: How do you investigate the research objectives? Secondary data, primary data??

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ANALYSIS. DOES THE EVIDENCE FIT THE THEORY? (You can and should change this heading to make it sound better, but this is essentially what it means. It generally includes a discussion of your findings and their implications - example, here you may wish to assess the pros and cons of current practice, across a range of different relevant stakeholders.)

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CONCLUSIONS (This should contain a brief summary of your main conclusions. For example, is current practice in need of improvement? Why? How? Is current regulation meeting its objectives? Are those objectives still relevant today? If reform is required, specify precisely what types of reform you propose. What would be the impacts - positive and negative - of those reforms?) List of References

7. Use any type of referencing system you like, provided you use it consistently. Also make sure that you include page references in all papers and works cited. 8. Try to ensure that your paper addresses all of the marking criteria. 9. There is 5 minimum numbers of scholarly references that you must have in your paper. However, an appropriate number will depend on the topic and how much has been published in relation to it. 10. There is no minimum number of words for your paper.

Hope this helps. And please do come to see me if you feel you need to.

Good luck!

Sabin