Polt 569 Chinese Foreign Policy

Research Paper Organization

I.Problem (Dependent Variable=y) (Length: Four pages)

Describe and measure the problem in concrete terms.Be sure to prove it is a problem by using statistics, leader’s speeches, etc.In your concluding section, restate the problem in more general, abstract terms.Why is this problem significant?Use footnotes.

II. Alternate Hypotheses (Independent variable=x)(Length: One page..1/2 page for each alternate hypothesis)

To answer your puzzle, you must formulate three possible explanations/hypotheses from three levels of analysis, based on real theories contained in the course readings.Make your hypotheses into “if, then” statements.Use half page to give a general explanation of a particular level of analysis.

Remember, you are explaining the same problem/puzzle/dependent variable (y) with all three explanations.There can be more than one x variable (x₁, x₂, x₃), but try to make your theories as parsimonious as possible.Also, remember NOT to mix x variables at different levels (xa₁ + xb₁=y)

A.Individual Decision-maker

Hypothesis: If xa, then y.

B.Domestic Determinants

Hypothesis: If xb, then y.

C. International Environment

Hypothesis: If xc, then y.

In this section, describe the TWO theories/levels that you argue are not AS important as your primary explanation/hypothesis (half page each). USE SUBHEADINGS so that it is clear what hypothesis you are describing. Tell the reader why you don’t think they are as important.Keep the hypothesis itself abstract, but when you go through the explanation why it is not as applicable, use your specific case study(ies) to argue its relative weaknesses.See example below.

When you actually are doing your research, you will find that you’ll be able to categorize the various explanations in the literature into one of the three categories.Cite these arguments…it is called a literature review.It strengthens your argument.

III. Testable Hypothesis (Length: About one page)

Your preferred explanation will be the third hypothesis, which is described in III Testable Hypothesis section. Explain how you will measure your dependent and independent variables.For instance, let’s say the problem/puzzle/dependent variable is bilateral trade between China and South Korea.Let’s imagine that the hypothesis is:

If there is growing regional economic integration, then there will be a rise in bilateral trade.

Note that they hypothesis is abstract.Regional economic integration is the IV, and bilateral trade is the DV.The implication of the hypothesis is that if there is low regional economic integration, there will be a decrease in bilateral trade.

First, you need to define bilateral trade.The next operative word is “rise,” which you will need to measure.In this case, you can easily measure the DV using trade statistics.Sometimes it can be high amounts, sometimes low amounts.

As for the IV, you first need to define what you mean by regional economic integration.Then you show how to measure “growing integration” in the northeast Asian region by looking at individual government and international trade policies, trade flows, comments by ministries, leaders, etc.The measures do not necessarily need to be at the same level of analysis.

These are general discussions, but you will actually be doing this in the case study section of your paper.

Tell the reader if you plan to use one case study (it is called a crucial case study), or several case studies.Most of you have chosen to do one case study, but for those doing several, you must apply the same independent variables/measures to all cases.Don’t compare “apples and oranges.”

IV. Case Study(8 pages)

This is where you’ll prove your hypothesis and put forward your particular case.How you organize it is up to you, but you’ll need to be describing the growth of bilateral trade over time, and then explain how the growth of regional economic cooperation in northeast Asia caused the growth of bilateral trade.

V. Summary and Conclusions (about one to one and a half pages)

Look back at your case study, and state its strengths and weaknesses.If the are other cases that might be used to prove your statement, then mention them.If it give particular insight to current issues, or you want to provide some prescriptive solutions to the problem, this is the place to include them.

VI. Bibliography

Remember: ONLY those items that you have cited as footnotes can be place in your bibliography.

Instructions:

• Include a cover page, which has your name, the research paper’s title, your college, your majors, your class standing, and your editor’s name.These are necessary to register you for the URC, so be very careful with the title.
• Insert page numbers, but do not number the title page.
• Use the EXACT format for the headings and subheadings (in bold): roman numerals, headings, etc.You don’t need to include the information inside the parentheses.
• Double-space, 1” margins, 12 font.
• Only Chicago/Turabian footnote and bibliography formats are acceptable.Note: there is a difference between the footnote and bibliography format.
• Check your spelling and grammar.Pay attention to basic problems like its and it’s, their, they’re and there, etc.
• PROOFREAD!!!Sit on it for at least overnight, and take another look for spelling or grammar mistakes, logic problems, etc.
• Submit this electronically in one file: include your final paper, followed by the edited version that includes the electronic comments of your editor.