Quality research papers on argumentative topics require library work.
Persuasive research papers dealing with argumentative topics provide an excellent assignment to train students in logical reasoning skills and research techniques. All topics, unfortunately, do not make for quality research papers. Asking yourself a few simple questions will provide a guideline for the topic selection and guarantee that the topic chosen provides a sound area for your study.
Is the Topic Multidimensional?
Argumentative research topics must offer a choice of positions that can be defended. For example, selecting a topic questioning the location of the earth in the solar system might not provide the type of thesis and argument development that a topic concerning the validity of the position that global warming is related to elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Topics must also be manageable. Research papers requiring study of a large time frame, geographic region, discipline or population group may prove too broad for a single paper. Examples of overly large topics include medical research. More specific topics dealing with medical research might question the use of animals for research or yearly requirements of mammograms for women. Narrow topics that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no" response are also unsuitable for argumentative papers and make paper development difficult. Local topics of minor significance sometimes fall into this narrow topic category.
Can the Topic Be Researched?
Topics of immediate interest may not have the depth of research material available to complete a paper. Options to personally interview principal players related to the topic is an option, but it is time-consuming and your geographic location may not allow you to talk to the subject in person or even by phone. Quality research papers use primary sources or quality secondary sources from recognized publishing presses or online services. You may be interested in a particular topic, but if scholarly research sources are not available, a different topic may be more practical. Scholarly sources include books, articles and papers written by professionals with credentials in the area of study.
Are the Research Materials Readily Available?
The Internet opened new research venues, but some topics still have limited materials available for research. Selecting a topic with materials available in only one remote location may also prove difficult for research. Doing a preliminary research scan before selecting a topic guarantees that a variety of sources can be quickly accessed before committing to the topic. Scanning a subscription research database, online library catalog or speed-reading topics on search engines for scholarly articles and book titles provide general information related to available research resources.
Are You Interested in the Topic?
Selecting a topic just to complete an assignment will become obvious in the end result. Researching a persuasive topic that involves argument development requires extensive background research and specialized sources. Authors need to have an interest in locating interesting information and a keen attention to the details to write a decent paper. Select a topic that interests you and, if possible, relates in some way to your everyday life. Skateboard riders, for example, may find a topic surveying the laws restricting riders from public sidewalks interesting fodder for a research paper proposing policies that represent both skaters and members of the community.
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