How to Write a Research Thesis: Tips and Guidelines

What is a research thesis?

A research thesis has most of the same thesis characteristics as a thesis for a non-research essay. The difference lies in the fact that you gather information and evidence from appropriate, valid sources (minimum 3 independent sources) to support your perspective on a topic or stand on an issue.  The paper is to be completed in two steps. Step 1 is to submit a thesis statement for approval. Step 2 is to submit the final draft. Step 1: Submit thesis statement by Friday, November 19th on the “Thesis Submission Link” in the “Assignment” folder (10% of paper grade). The thesis focuses your ideas and information for the research paper. Create a working thesis for the research paper by specifying and ordering your categories of information.  Below is a list of topics for you to develop your thesis from:  Contemporary Chinese Politics  The Sleeping Giant: Becoming the World’s Largest Economy Tibet and the Chinese Government Note: the above are suggested topics only. In researching these topics, sources provide information that informs your thesis, the thesis ideas should be your own, particular to your personal way of thinking about and analyzing a topic. Your thesis should answer a question about the topic.  Your thesis needs to be an analytical or argumentative one as opposed to a factual or descriptive one. Once you think you have a thesis submit it. If you are having problems choosing a thesis, book a time to discuss this with your professor. Example 1:  Sample Topic: Falun Gong Sample Thesis: The Falun Gong, in addition to being a spiritual organisation, is a political orginisation as well. Example 2:  Sample Topic: Legacy of Mao’s Policiese Example of a bad descriptive thesis: Mao passed many policies after 1945. (This would not be acceptable because no one would argue against it.)  Example of a better argumentative and analytical thesis: Mao passed many important policies that changed the organization of families, including policies X, and Y, with the most important being policy X.” (This is a much more productive thesis because you are presenting your argument on how you think about Mao’s policies: important, and which ones as being important, and finally, the most important one. This allows your essay to be much more focused and interesting because you will be defending this statement.) Step 2: Submit Final Draft (90% of paper grade) Friday, December 10th by uploading a digital copy to the “Final Essay Submission Link” under the “Assignments” link.