- Historical -- describe an event and the effects after, interpret what happened during an event given the time and distance from the event, biographical or autobiographical in who a person was, accomplishments and contribution to a historical event.
- Case study -- done in medical field, but also in business, psych, criminal justice. Thoroughly analyze a person, place or thing that happened with an eye for details and examining the effects.
- Correlation -- when one variable changes, how does that affect others? For example, will raising the drinking age to 25 lower drunk driving accidents? This may be a theory, it hasn't happened yet.
- Cause and effect -- if we do something, what are the potential effects. Using the previous example, if we raise the drinking age, what are the effects -- financial on the hospitality industry, fewer officers needed for night shifts, less court time, fewer individuals in jail.
- Compare and contrast -- take two items and compare the likenesses and contrast the differences. For example, what are the differences and comparisons of side effects of two different types of drugs for chemotherapy, such as conventional chemo and homeopathic?
- Argument -- this is a bit tough, particularly because both sides need to be surpported by reasonable people. No reasonable person is going to be for the death penalty for robbery, so it wouldn't make a strong argument.
Of course, once you get to the senior level or masters level in your studies, there are a few more research papers that involve your own research, such as conducting surveys and observations.
