Rubrics and Guidelines for the Research Paper

1. Originality, clarity, and thoughtfulness

2. Relevance of your data, evidence and examples
3. The accuracy of your English

You may choose two countries since the focus of the course is comparative. You may
investigate an issue or a problem, for example, the COVID-19 response in a country or state
formation, or quality of governance, or economic development in two countries. Examine the
most important aspects. Look for and use data, statistics, historical evidence and other relevant
supporting materials systematically.

Preparing your research paper

Before you begin writing, follow these guidelines:

Read on the research topic

o Take notes, highlight relevant facts, underline key problems.

o Submit an outline (one short paragraph stating your research topic, a thesis
statement, and how you want to do it).

2. Focus Your Analysis

o Identify the two countries. Give some background information related to your
topic
o Discuss the outbreak of the pandemic (or whatever issue wants to discuss) in
these two countries
o How did the governments handle or respond to the crisis?

3. Uncover Possible Reasons for the delay or swiftness in handling the crisis

o Review various readings, discussions, outside research, etc.

Drafting the Research Paper

Once you have gathered the necessary information, a draft of your analysis should include
these general sections.

1. Introduction

o Identify the key problems and issues.

o Formulate and include a thesis statement, summarizing the outcome of your
analysis in 1–2 sentences.
 o Set the scene: background information, relevant facts, and the most important
issues regarding the countries.
o Demonstrate that you have researched the problems extensively.

2. Main body of the Research Paper

o Discuss the Thesis statement (or your hypotheses)

o Add a literature survey. What others have written on this subject.
o Provide your main arguments and evidence in support of your thesis statement
o Discuss and evaluate various arguments

3. Concluding statement

o Summarize and discuss the main points of your research.

o Discuss some of the gaps that remain.
o What should be done?

After you have composed the first draft of your research paper, read through it to check for any
gaps or inconsistencies in content or structure:

• Is your thesis statement clear and direct?

• Have you provided solid evidence?
• Is any component from the analysis missing?

When you make the necessary revisions, proofread and edit your analysis before submitting
the final draft. Please use APA style for citations and references. Use New Times 12 font.
Length: 1500 words.

(Begin with reading various newspapers and online resources).

Must have at least 10 to 15 References (online or offline).