Compare & Contrast Paper

The compare and contrast paper requires you to consider competing views on some aspect of motivation, drawing on several of the course readings from two different perspectives. In this paper, you will demonstrate your understanding of the two perspectives through (1) your use of the main concepts of each perspective, (2) your use of evidence to support your claims about them. This work will both strengthen your understanding of the theories and contribute to your thinking about your term project.

Rather than trying to do a general comparison of the theories as a whole,I recommend that you select some aspect or application of the two perspectives around which you can focus your paper. For example, you might focus on differences in their explanations for lack of motivation in academic settings, contrast the methods researchers use in the two perspectives and how this relates to the explanatory models used, or examine their relative usefulness for studying motivation in a particular population or setting. Focusing your paper on a specific issue or dimension will make differences and similarities between the perspectives more obvious, and the implications of those differences for your own work clearer.

Some strategies to consider:

• Start with the General Analytic Questions as a way to start to uncover some differences and similarities between the two perspectives.
• Make a chart in which you can compare various dimensions of the two perspectives. For example, their definition of motivation, the methods used, typical research questions, major constructs, etc.
• Note the sources of your information (specific studies or theoretical articles) so you can cite them appropriately in your paper.
• Use a notecard system, drawings, or a computer program like Inspiration to help you organize your information visually.