Final Research Paper Preparation Review the Final Research Paper instructions located within the Final Research Paper link in your online course or under the “Components of Course Evaluation” section of this guide. The Final Research Paper is due in Week Five. To help with the preparation of the paper, complete the following and submit it to your instructor for feedback. Topic: Refer to the Final Research Paper guidelines for your topic selection. Confirm your topic, and identify how this selection relates to your academic and professional pursuits. Review the feedback from your topic choice presented in the Week One discussion. How did your argument stand up to the examination of your peers? Thesis: Write a direct and concise thesis statement, which will become the point or perspective you will argue or prove in the Final Research Paper. Refer to the Ashford Online Writing Center for information on how to develop a solid thesis statement. Annotated Bibliography: To help prepare for your final paper, you will be writing an annotated bibliography to indicate the quality of the sources you have read.  Please make sure to cite each source using APA style.  After each citation, write a brief paragraph (around 150 words) summarizing the source and examining how it will support you in defending your argument.  For more information and example of an annotated bibliography, please refer to section 7.7 in the Ashford Writing Center within the Learning Resources tab on the left navigation toolbar in your online course..  Keep in mind the Academic Research standards for all Ashford University Papers. Academic Research Standards Academic research and papers must meet certain standards of quality recognized by the academic community. What constitutes quality, academic research? Primary sources, which are documents from the time period being discussed Secondary sources supported by research in primary sources Credible sources (experts in the area of study) Relevant research (materials are pertinent to the area of study) In graduate work, the use of peer-reviewed journal articles (journal articles reviewed by recognized experts in the relevant field of study) is required. Educational and Government websites may be appropriate in some cases, but should be evaluated carefully. The paper must be five to seven pages in length (excluding the title pages) and formatted according to APA style. You must use at least five scholarly sources, three of which can be found in the Ashford Online Library, to support your points. Of the five sources, two will be your primary sources, and one will meet the multimedia requirement. For information regarding APA, including samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center within the Learning Resources tab on the left navigation toolbar in your online course . Final Research Paper Research the responsibility of a critical thinker in a contemporary society. You may choose any topic that deals with a contemporary soci.

1. Final Research Paper Preparation
Review the Final Research Paper instructions located within the
Final Research Paper link in your online course or under the
“Components of Course Evaluation” section of this guide. The
Final Research Paper is due in Week Five. To help with the
preparation of the paper, complete the following and submit it
to your instructor for feedback.
Topic:
Refer to the Final Research Paper guidelines for your topic
selection. Confirm your topic, and identify how this selection
relates to your academic and professional pursuits. Review the
feedback from your topic choice presented in the Week One
discussion. How did your argument stand up to the examination
of your peers?
Thesis:
Write a direct and concise thesis statement, which will become
the point or perspective you will argue or prove in the Final
Research Paper. Refer to the Ashford Online Writing Center for
information on how to develop a solid thesis statement.
Annotated Bibliography:
To help prepare for your final paper, you will be writing an
annotated bibliography to indicate the quality of the sources you
have read. Please make sure to cite each source using APA
style. After each citation, write a brief paragraph (around 150
words) summarizing the source and examining how it will
support you in defending your argument. For more information
and example of an annotated bibliography, please refer to
section 7.7 in the Ashford Writing Center within the Learning
Resources tab on the left navigation toolbar in your online
course.. Keep in mind the Academic Research standards for all
Ashford University Papers.
Academic Research Standards
Academic research and papers must meet certain standards of
quality recognized by the academic community. What

2. constitutes quality, academic research?
Primary sources, which are documents from the time period
being discussed
Secondary sources supported by research in primary sources
Credible sources (experts in the area of study)
Relevant research (materials are pertinent to the area of study)
In graduate work, the use of peer-reviewed journal articles
(journal articles reviewed by recognized experts in the relevant
field of study) is required.
Educational and Government websites may be appropriate in
some cases, but should be evaluated carefully.
The paper must be five to seven pages in length (excluding the
title pages) and formatted according to APA style. You must use
at least five scholarly sources, three of which can be found in
the Ashford Online Library, to support your points. Of the five
sources, two will be your primary sources, and one will meet
the multimedia requirement. For information regarding APA,
including samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing
Center within the Learning Resources tab on the left navigation
toolbar in your online course
.
Final Research Paper
Research the responsibility of a critical thinker in a
contemporary society. You may choose any topic that deals with
a contemporary social concern. Examine the principles of
critical thought in relation to the chosen societal concern, and
consider the importance of ethics, moral reasoning, a research-
based process to search for truth, and the advantages of
information technology in gathering data.
Potential social concerns include, but are not limited to health
(e.g., obesity, smoking, or underage drinking), poverty (e.g.,
homelessness, basic needs, or transportation issues), family
relations and dynamics (e.g., teen violence, physical abuse,

3. depression, or suicide), social media (e.g., privacy),
immigration (e.g., illegal), and education (e.g., plagiarism
and/or cheating).
Your Final Research Paper should:
Include a literature review of three scholarly sources based on
the selected contemporary issue. Analyze the validity of the
author’s arguments and/or biases.
Explain how academic knowledge impacts the social elements
and institutions of both local and global communities.
Assess how the principles of active citizenship could impact the
contemporary issue during the next five to ten years.
Include at least one reference to a multimedia component (i.e.,
podcast, interactive website, blog, or video) and evaluate the
relevance of this piece in relationship to academic knowledge
and the selected issue.
The paper must be 12 to 14 pages in length (excluding the title
and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style. You
must use at least 12 scholarly sources, six of which can be
found in the Ashford Online Library. Cite your sources within
the text of your paper and on the reference page. For
information regarding APA, including samples and tutorials,
visit the Ashford Writing Center within the Learning Resources
tab on the left navigation toolbar.
Writing the Final Research Paper
The Final Research Paper:
Must be 12 to 14 double-spaced pages in length, and formatted
according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing
Center.
Must include a title page with the following:
Title of paper
Student’s name
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Date submitted
Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct
thesis statement.

4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
Must use at least 12 scholarly sources, including a minimum of
six from the Ashford Online Library.
Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the
Ashford Writing Center.
Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to
APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.