INR 3502, Fall 2007
International Institutions
Research Paper Assignment

        The research paper is due at the beginning of the last class, on Wednesday, December 5.  The paper should deal with a particular international organization.  It should look at the degree to which the organization succeeds in achieving its intended goals, and examine potential ways to make the organization more successful in achieving those goals.  In undertaking this analysis, the paper should address the various ways of looking at international organizations discussed in class and in the readings.  For example, you should look at the organization as both a regime and an institution.

        Begin to think of and research a topic quite soon; a statement of your research question and tentative thesis is due on Friday, September 28, and your working bibliography is due on Wednesday, October 29.  Each submission is worth 10% of the paper credit (i.e. 3% of your overall grade).

        Papers should be roughly 3,000 words, not including citations.  They should be typed or word processed, and printed double-spaced with one-inch margins.  They should also be thoroughly proofread; it is hard for a reader to take even an excellent argument as seriously as s/he should if it contains errors in grammar and spelling.  Remember as well that analytical prose may differ from literary prose; aim for precision and succinctness.

        There are two key components to a successful research paper in political science; argument and evidence.  You should begin by presenting the reader with the issue, and the range of ways of looking at and dealing with the issue.  You should then develop an argument as to which of ways you favor, and why.  You should present the evidence that supports your argument, and clearly explain why you think the evidence presented supports the argument.  When constructing a paper, ask yourself:
     -Am I answering the question I set out to answer?
     -Is my thesis presented in a clear and straightforward way?
     -Is the thesis then supported by strong evidence and sound arguments?
     -Have I taken into consideration counter-arguments and successfully refuted them?

It is crucial to cite your sources; see the statement on citation.  See as well the statement on research sources.