Research Essay

[Belgarion]

Hey guys,

Im currently taking a level 2 history breadth. The final piece of assessment is a research essay worth 55%. Its due in the first week of exams. I wasn't sure when i should start it. I was thinking during the mid semester break but i was wondering if i should start earlier? Could those  who have done a research essay for a subject before please tell me what you did?

Thanks

[simpak]

I usually started getting references about 4 weeks before the essay would be due and then use those references to understand/plan.  Then write the actual paper in about 1-2 days.  Then cut it down for about 6 hours.  Then referencing would take me about 1.5 to 2 hours because I would use about 45-50 references per paper.
But it depends on what exactly it involves!  And also not everyone will be able to write their paper in 1-2 days some will spend less time on reference searching/planning and more time actually planning as you write etc.  Just works for me to get everything down on paper in one sitting and then tweak it most of the time.

That said, for my last research paper, I found references over 6 days and wrote it overnight all-nighter style, then went to a Genetics exam.

[Belgarion]

wow simpak, some dedication right there. Can i say is that the normal referencing amount for a research essay? Was it a level 2 subject like mine? Could i maybe see it just to get the feel of how to write one?

[simpak]

We are gonna have that problem where all my essays are not on my current laptop so it takes me a while to acquire them...as long as you don't mind a short wait.

Edit: this particular one was Level 3 but I'll see if I can find you a better example submitted to our university rather than Penn...

[Belgarion]

thanks 

[simpak]

OH YEAH the referencing bit, not it is not at all normal but when have I ever appeared normal to any of you guys!

[Chrissyy]

45+ papers referenced seems like way too much for an undergrad paper. Normally they say to us around 15 or so academic reference is good, up to 20 is great but if you use any more than that your scope might be a bit too broad. If you only have 2000 words or so (which isn't that much) around 4-6 references per paragraph seems about right. I guess it depends on the subject but in my experience between 12-20 is a good guideline. Just ask your tutor

In terms of actually doing my research, I normally begin about 2 weeks before it's due and start writing about 400 words a day the week before it's due. I like to space things out. Just do whatever normally works for you.