RETHINKING RESEARCH: CR 1-12 (EXERCISE #1, pg 1)

"You can't use the pronoun I."

I agree with this statement. I don't believe one should use the pronoun I when writing a research paper because the writing should be objective. When one uses "I" it makes it personal or subjective, and that may alter the readers perspective. In a research paper, the feedback and dependence from another source is required because one is digging up details on information from a particular subject that is not about oneself. This does not mean that I do not think that ones personal opinion should not be included, but it should not be the lead of a research paper. In a research paper one should build personal habits of mind that allow you to question and gather the information needed. For the writing to be formal the writer must show their presence without making it known. I believe a paper is more effective when the writer touches on the subject, gives a ghostly appearance and allowing the paper to be ore objective.

This statement goes along with what I believe should or should not be included in a research paper. In the book, The Curious Researcher, by Bruce Ballenger, he lists a series of statements and questions us whether a statement is a true or false in relation to a research paper. Then he challenges us to think through our writing to tell a story of whether the statement given has logic or corresponds to what we believe. I found this to be quite challenging, especially after asking certain people myself what they think. Many gave different answers and a lot found there to be no problem because one should include their intake, but after reading The Curious Researcher, I believe that if you are writing a research paper, yes your opinions are important, but you should primarily agree with your topic of choice because you are doing research on it, not an argumentative paper.