DETAILS ON RESEARCH ESSAY
OBJECTIVE:
- Research, prepare, and report on a detailed topic related to the materials dealt with in
this course
- Analyze a particular cultural dynamic (e.g. belief, practice, taboo, myth, knowledge,
value, etc.), or compare the cultural dynamics of two cultures
- The research essay represents 20% of your final grade.
THE RULES:
- Utilize a minimum of 5 written sources
- The entire research essay project is broken into three parts:
- Prospectus (10 pts): 100 words maximum, summarizing paper focus
- Outline (15 pts): demonstrating the organizational plan of your paper including a bibliography of a minimum of 5 sources
- Research Essay (75 pts): 10 pages, double-spaced, 1” margin on all sides, written in
regular prose (full sentences, etc.)
CONTENT:
The content of your final research essay should include the following:
- Introduction: Statement of the research focus. What is this essay about? Why is this
topic significant? Why is it relevant to the issues posed by the study of cultural
anthropology?
- Review of Literature: What is the existing literature on this topic? What are the
different research methods and theoretical perspectives used by researchers in this area?
What are the gaps in this literature (unanswered questions, continuing controversies,
unheard voices, unexplored methods, etc.)? Thus, what does this essay propose to
accomplish as a contribution to the further development of this literature?
- Principal Research Findings: How does your research follow from the review of
existing work? What were the principal findings of your research? Present a description
of empirical and historical materials to highlight selected aspects of the issue or problem.
- Theoretical Implications: Offer a theoretical interpretation of the research findings.
What is the theoretical significance of the research? Can you offer a ‘new’ theoretical
‘take’ on the issue?
- Implications for the Future: What remains to be done? Present a set of questions for
future research.
- Conclusion: Provide a brief summary of the principal research findings and reiterate the
major theoretical and policy implications
- References: Present a bibliography. Sources should be cited using the following
academic formats:
Journal/magazine article:
Diamond, J. (1989) “This-Fellow Frog, Name Belong-Him Dakwo” in Natural History,
Vol. 4, pp. 16-19
Book:
Greer (2005) Ethnoecology of Taro Farmers and Their Management of Hawaiian
Wetlands and Endangered Waterbirds in Taro Agroecosystems. Seattle,
Washington: University of Washington
Website:
Palmquist, D. (2008) "In The Spotlight: Black-Footed Ferrets Return" downloaded on August 25, 2008 at: <http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/kansas/science/art25910.html>
- Appendices: Data tables, figures, photos, maps, and other graphic and descriptive data
relevant to the presentation of the research findings and theoretical work.
GRADING:
- Late prospectus’, outlines, and essays will receive automatic point reductions
- Essays not meeting college-level work will be returned ungraded, papers must be
rewritten with the assistance of the Writing Lab and resubmitted for a final grade
EXAMPLES OF PREVIOUS RESEARCH ESSAYS:
- Culture of Tatoos
- Hula
- Female Circumcision
- Leprosy in Hawai'i
- Filipino Wedding Rituals
- Hunting and Fishing Traditions in Hawai'i
- Yanomamo Interaction with the Outside World
- Plantation Culture Please let me know if you have any questions – I’ll be glad to answer them.
Nan M. Greer
Office: SCII-105
Email:
nangreer@hawaii.edu