Write a 10 page research paper that reviews and analyzes two primary current issues/topics in the field of organ transplantation using a theoretical framework. For example, you might choose to write about the commercialization of organs, and the fact that American’s need for organs is likely to increase as the population ages, and/or the fact that there will never a large enough supply of human organ donors. Other relevant issues are things like cost, organ-supply problems, artificial organs, advancements in pharmaceuticals that address failing organs, follow-up care for donor patients, organ trafficking and the potential for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell research to become a factor in the near future. Please view the videos and read all articles in the Content Guide as they provide additional resources and ideas to use in this learning task.
Once you select two topics, review and analyze them applying ethical theoretical models we’ve examined in the course. Some of these include:
- utilitarianism
- duty-based ethics
- virtue-based ethics
- natural law-based ethics
- rights-based theory
- feminist theory, etc.
Your paper should utilize the current research and examine the most recent cases or decisions regarding policies This should take an academic, objective approach to the issues you select, and should rely on the texts, library resources and the course content so far.
Research Paper Assignment
The topic you choose should allow you to analyze two primary current issues/topics in the field of organ transplantation using a theoretical framework. Make sure your chosen topics are not too broad or too narrow. Then begin your research to take a position on the issue, and explain or analyze your position on the issue.
What is a Research Paper
What is a Research Paper?
Your research paper will be 10 pages in length (double-spaced, title page and reference page do not count) and should cite at least 10 to 15 sources. Sources must be documented using the APA format. Visit the Empire State College’s Writing Resource Center to get help with documenting sources or visit Purdue Online Writing Lab’s page on APA style.
The Purpose of your Research
A research paper is more than the sum of your sources, more than a collection of different pieces of information about a topic, and more than a review of literature in a field. A research paper analyzes a perspective or argues a point. In an analytical research paper, you do research to become an expert on a topic so that you can restructure and present the parts of the topic from your own perspective. An argumentative research paper needs to support your stand on an issue. An argumentative research paper uses information as evidence to support a point. To learn more about what a research paper is, visit the ESC Research Writing site.
Research Paper Format
Use the following format for the research paper as your “guide”. Note the word “guide” because you may find a need, given the specific topic you have selected, to modify. Remember that this is a research paper – not a longer version of an essay. The research paper should contain the following format: Title page, Purpose of Study, Opening Statement, Assumption or Hypothesis, Discussion of Findings, Recommendations, Conclusion/Summary, and Reference Page.
Title Page – It should be concise and descriptive–creative wouldn’t hurt! Your names, course name and number, college and term should be listed.
Purpose of Study – The final project should include a succinct statement that explains why you selected the particular area of interest and why it lends itself to a research paper. State the purpose of your research and why it interests you. You should also identify the audience for your work.
Opening Statement, Assumptions or Hypothesis
The project is a rigorous academic exercise and should be carefully thought out from beginning to end. It is imperative that you resist presentation of opinion as fact, and instead develop assumptions or hypotheses without reaching conclusions before you investigate the topic. The opening statement, argument or hypothesis focuses your ideas for the paper; it’s your argument, insight or viewpoint summarized into a sentence or two that gives the reader your main idea. It presents the rationale for your paper and clearly indicates why it is worth exploring. If you are not sure about how to refine, narrow or broaden your thesis, please visit “Finding Your Thesis” the Empire State College’s Writing Resource Center.
Discussion of Findings
You must demonstrate that you have expanded your knowledge of the subject. This is where you must cite between 10-15 sources using the APA format. This section should discuss and offer an interpretation of the sources you cite. Choose the sources carefully. They should demonstrate your understanding of the research issues related to your topic and show your ability to critically evaluate/integrate the literary sources.
Recommendations
Given your findings, what do you recommend be done? Use your findings to support your recommendations.
Conclusion/Summary
In these sections, the emphasis should be on what has been learned about the assumptions, the limits of this particular inquiry, and the implications of the findings.
Reference Page
Documenting sources at the end of the research paper consists of listing all of the sources from which you quoted, paraphrased, or summarized. In APA style, the sources in a paper are listed alphabetically on a separate page headed References. It follows the final page of the text and is numbered. By citing your sources you are letting your reader know that you’ve consulted experts whose ideas and information back up your own thoughts and ideas. You must cite your sources correctly so that your academic integrity is not called into question. If you don’t document, you could inadvertently be plagiarizing.
Tips for Written Assignment
Visit the ESC Library’s Annotated Bibliographies Guide that links to steps and examples of how to put a bibliography together. Another good source and example of an Annotated Bibliography can be viewed at the Purdue OWL: Annonated Bibliographies website.
- Visit the ESC Online Library’s How-Tos Guide which will cover the basics of writing, how to conduct research, what databases to use and how to cite sources so that you do not engage in plagarism.
- Visit ESC’s Research Writing: Elements and Steps to learn how to work through the various stages of research writing such as: elements of a research paper, step in writing the research paper from developing the research question or thesis, to finding sources, building a draft and finalizing the piece.
Please read the SUNY Empire State College statement on Academic Integrity before submitting any work for this course. Be sure to cite any and all sources correctly so that your academic integrity is not called into question.
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