Sample Analytical Research Paper (Chicago Style)

Below is a sample analytical research paper in Chicago citation style titled: “The Evolution of Social Media Influence on Political Mobilization: A Comparative Analysis of Pre- and Post-2016 U.S. Presidential Elections.” This example is intended to help college students write better research papers.

Analytical Research Paper: Social Media Influence on Political Mobilization

Analytical Research Paper Outline: Social Media & Political Mobilization

Here is the outline for this sample research paper:

1. Introduction
   1. Background and context of social media’s role in politics
   2. Research objective and significance
   3. Thesis statement: This paper examines the changing influence of social media on political mobilization by comparing its impact before and after the 2016 U.S. Presidential elections.
2. Literature Review
   1. Historical perspective on social media’s involvement in political mobilization
   2. Theories and key studies on social media’s impact on political participation
   3. An analysis of the 2016 U.S. Presidential election and its pivotal role in understanding the evolution of social media in politics
3. Methodology
   1. Data collection methods, encompassing content analysis and surveys
   2. Data sources, such as social media platforms, news archives, and scholarly works
   3. Criteria and rationale for selecting pre- and post-2016 election data
4. Analysis
   1. Pre-2016 U.S. Presidential Election:
      • Overview of social media’s involvement in the 2008 and 2012 elections
      • Assessing the influence of social media on political mobilization
      • Case studies of successful social media-driven mobilization efforts
   2. The 2016 U.S. Presidential Election:
      • Examination of the changing landscape of social media in 2016
      • Evaluation of social media’s role in influencing the election outcome
      • Identification of key actors, platforms, and strategies
   3. Post-2016 U.S. Presidential Election:
      • Assessment of the evolving role of social media in political mobilization
      • Case studies of noteworthy political mobilization efforts in the post-2016 elections
      • Comparison with the pre-2016 landscape, considering technological advancements
5. Discussion
   1. Factors Affecting Social Media’s Influence:
      • Exploration of factors that amplify or constrain social media’s impact on political mobilization
      • Examination of algorithms, echo chambers, and misinformation
      • The influence of political actors and campaigns
   2. Challenges and Ethical Considerations:
      • Analysis of challenges inherent to studying social media’s influence on politics
      • Ethical concerns related to privacy, misinformation, and manipulation
      • Suggested strategies and ethical guidelines for addressing these issues
6. Conclusion
   1. Recap of key findings and their broader implications
   2. Reiteration of the thesis statement
   3. Insights into the future role of social media in political mobilization
   4. Recommendations and Future Directions
      • Policy recommendations for the regulation of social media in political contexts
      • Areas for further research, including emerging trends and questions
7. References
   • Proper citation of all sources used in the research paper
   • Follow guidelines provided by your academic institution.