Research Project Paper Format and Structure Rules
1. The following is the Research Project Paper format description. The paper length in pages of text is listed in your
syllabus.
2. The Reference and Title pages are additional pages (font is 12 point) Margins: Top .5, Bottom .5, Right .5, and
Left .5
3. The paper is doubled spaced except as stipulated by APA formatting rules for quoted text. The paper will not
contain more than twenty-five percent quoted materials.
4. Sections are only separated by Section Headings. All Sections Headings must be included in your paper. The
Title page and Reference page are separate pages and do not count in the page length total.
5. The required number of references and corresponding citations ONLY from peer reviewed journals are listed in
your syllabus. The Research Project Paper requires 4 hypotheses.
6. All citations must directly correspond to the references. Each citation required in the paper must appear in the
Literature Review, Findings and Discussion sections and of the paper and also referenced in the Reference
section of the paper (i.e., Lopez (2001) is cited and reviewed in the Literature Review; The finding of Lopez (2001)
is stated and cited in the Findings; Lopez (2001) will also be discussed and cited in the Discussion section and
Lopez (2001) is referenced in the Reference Section).
7. Remember: You must use the most current APA Publication Manual Edition for all citations and references.
Outline of Research Project Paper (Section Headings)
Title Page-
Title of Paper in named using the same subject line as required with email communication with the QC suffix changed to
RPP.
Abstract-
An overview of the social problem of interest.
Statement of Problem-
A statement of the essential question of your study.
Literature Review-
A review of the literature (peer reviewed journal articles) you have read cited according the APA manual.
Theory-
The theory you have chosen and the explanation of the social problem using said theory.
Hypotheses-
Four core questions you can answer after reading the literature. Stated in the form of research hypotheses.
Methodology-
All classes–describe a Meta-Analysis as related to your Research Project Paper topic.
Methodology and Statistics classes ONLY: You must reference the class lecture on the completion standards for this
section.
Findings-
A listing of the answers to the four hypotheses cited according to the APA manual.
Methodology and Statistics classes ONLY: You must reference the class lecture on the completion standards for this
section.
Discussion-
Discuss the implications and ramifications of the Findings using the theory discussed in the Theory section of the paper.
Conclusion-
Summary of the implications for the field.
References-
All references in the paper must be referenced according to the APA manual specified above.
RPP sections page length
Abstract .5
Statement of Problem .5
Literature Review 3
Theory .5
Hypotheses .5
Methodology .5
Findings 1
Discussion 3
Conclusion .5
Total Pages 10
The class Research Project Paper is a research project report that is a TEN-page paper with
TEN references using scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles fully implementing and reporting of the
a ANOVA model or a Multiple Regression model using an ICPSR data set. The paper must be
formatted according to the A.P.A. publication manual and submitted via email and according to the
Research Project Paper guidelines for the completion standards for the research project paper that
will be provided in the Class Document named ‘Research Project Paper and Structure Rules’ when
the assignment is announced in class
ummary of topics to be covered: Application of the scientific method to social phenomena,
including both quantitative and qualitative methods of collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and
presenting data, as well as considerations about research design, the role of theory, and ethics.
Methods covered may include survey research, experimental research, secondary data analysis,
content analysis, focus groups, qualitative interviews, fieldwork, ethnography, and historical
comparative research.
