Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
50632:Thesis Writing I (P) § 50633:Policy Science Special Lecture Ⅲ (Advanced Research Paper Writing)(P) 2025 Fall Wed2 College　Of　Policy　Science UEHARA TAKURO 2

Campus

OIC

Class Venue

AS454

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

This course will help students learn the research paper writing process and develop the ability to write clearly and effectively on a range of complex topics. It focuses on how to structure sections of a research paper (e.g., title, introduction, and materials and methods) and what to include in each. This course will not cover fundamental academic writing skills (e.g., wording and paraphrasing). Because there are various ways to structure and write research papers (varying even within a single field), this course blends the instructor’s experience as a researcher with textbook-based lessons. Students will choose peer-reviewed academic articles of their field of interest and use them throughout the course to effectively learn the research paper writing process. This course will help students and professors in the Policy Seminar series to focus on their research.

Student Attainment Objectives

Students will learn how to:
- structure a research paper;
- write an engaging title and abstract that will attract the reader's attention;
- decide what to include in the various sections (Introduction, Methodology, Discussion, etc.);
- highlight their claims and contributions;
- discuss the limitations of their research;
- streamline and enhance their research paper writing.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Students must have a plan to write a graduation thesis.

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
1

Introduction

【+R-Jugyo】Information for “+R-Jugyo” will be posted on manaba+R.
Course aims; Course structure; Class management; Instructions for the first assignment

2

Structure of a research paper

IMRAD; Other structures in peer-reviewed journals; Writing order

3

Titles

Ch. 12 (Wallwork, 2016); Instructions in peer-reviewed journals

4

Abstract

Ch. 13 (Wallwork, 2016); Instructions in peer-reviewed journals

5-6

Introduction

Ch. 14 (Wallwork, 2016); Elements and their order

7

Literature Review

Ch. 15 (Wallwork, 2016); With and without; Journal instructions

8-9

Material and Methods

Ch.16 (Wallwork, 2016); Timing matters.

10

Results

Ch.17 (Wallwork, 2016)

11

Discussion

Ch.18 (Wallwork, 2016); Pre-research preparation matters; Results vs. Discussion

12

Conclusion

Ch.19 (Wallwork, 2016); Abstract vs. Conclusion.

13-14

Applications

Check student term papers for the Policy Seminar series; Ch.20 (Wallwork, 2016); Additional strategies for writing better research papers

Class Format

Conduct face-to-face classes from Lecture 1 to 14.

Recommendations for Private Study

Students must complete assignments before class and arrive ready to discuss what they learned. Students must have access to Wallwork (2016) as it is required for most assignments.

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written)

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment　
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)		 100

Participation and Assignments

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
English for writing research papers, 3rd edition Wallwork, A. Springer This textbook is mandatory. An e-book is also available.

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

The textbook will be used throughout the course.

Reference Books

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Web Pages for Reference

Students can also learn the variations of research paper structure from the course instructor’s research papers at:
https://research-db.ritsumei.ac.jp/rithp/k05/resid/S001095/8682;jsessionid=B770665A95B7EA292B6028356AB95A4C

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

Talk with Students

Other Comments

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URL:https://secure.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html/