how to write a good research on ; Armed Conflicts in Africa and the Refugee Question. The Case of Sierra Leone
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Words of wisdom from an old college professor of mine ...\nwrite your paper as if the reader knows nothing about the subject.\n\nConflicts is plural.  It would be helpful if you identify several conflicts, then zero in on one conflict that seems to best summarize all conflicts in the region. \n\nMake sure to answer the following questions in your report:\n\nWho - who are the parties to the conflicts?\n\nWhat - is the nature of the conflict?  There should be at least two opposing perspectives.\n\nWhen - When did the conflict begin?\n\nWhere - Where did the conflict begin, and how expansive is the conflict now?  In other words, did it start in one village and now consumes the entire country, region or continent?\n\nHow - How did the conflict begin?  Did one warlard begin the oppression to fill a power vacuum?\n\nWhy - Why did the conflict begin?  What were the circumstances that were present that allowed the conflict to start and grow?  In other words, did a powerful leader or group of leaders cease to rule thereby allowing the warlords to initiate their own plan for rule?\n\nRemember, written history is always about perspective.  One journalist may have one perspective and write about a situation, while another journalist may have a completely different perspective.  For example, a Muslim journalist may see the warlord power grab in Sierra Leone in a very different light than a western journalist.  So, you will ultimately produce a better paper if you read different perspectives, then draw your own conclusions.  Your conclusions should not be based on your emotions, but rather cause and effect.  To be more specific, avoid emotive statements like:  What's happening in Darfur is wrong because it is unjust.  Rather, explain how it is unjust.  Search out any statistics on quality of life in Sierra Leone before the conflict, then compare to quality of life now.  In other words, be objective!\n\nThen, after you have your research and your perspective, create an outline.  Like this ...\n\n1. Who\n    A.  Party #1\n    B.  Party #2\n2. What is the nature of the conflict\n    A.  Explain the most obvious part of the conflict\n    B.  Explain a secondary part of the conflict\nEtc...\n\nWhen you're ready to begin writing the paper, create your openning paragraph in such a way as to introduce your reader to the subject matter in the most general way.  Then follow your outline to provide more specifics.\n\nDo make sure to bibliograph your paper.  Meaning, if you  learn that, for example that, 100,000 people have been displaced from their homes, insert a # behind your point in the body of your text.  Then at the very end of your paper tally the numbers and next to each cite the reference. This will be your "Bibliography Page". For example, the following sentence might be in the body of your report:  \n\n"100,00 people were displaced from their homes."1\n\nThen your bibliograpy page should correspond.\n\n#1 - Article from Newsweek, Vol. 1, page 42, written by John Doe.\n\nMake sure to be concise, no run-on sentences, use complete sentences, check your spelling, try to make it interesting by using adjectives, then write the paper like the person reading it has never heard of the subject matter before. \n\nIf this assignment is for grade or high school, I would attach a neatly typed copy of the outline to the back of your paper, behind the bibliography page.  By doing so, you'll show your teacher how you organized your content, and might get extra points for its inclusion.\n\nRemember, the point of the assignment is for you and your reader to learn about the subject.  Oh, and have fun doing it.  That grey matter between your ears is longing to be exercised!
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http://humanitiesconference.com/ProposalSystem/Presentations/P001314\nhttp://www.globalissues.org/Geopolitics/\n\nHope it helps :-)
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I see your logic and there is some truth to what you are saying.  The patterns are there, but i would HIGHLY recommend you read the Book "Guns, Germs, and Steel" by geographer Jared Diamond.  It is incredible and discusses these topics and more.  Like why were Europeans able to conquer the new world and colonize Africa, and the biological reasons, such as introduced species.  Its a thick read, but i believe it will offer you a solid base to draw some conclusions to your statements above.  Best of luck!\n\nAnd by the way these countries are now at war because they were colonies (google the berlin conference of 1834 , thats when they drew up arbitrary lines in africa and divided it up amonst eupean countries) and when the imperial powers gave them independence all infrastructure and government was removed and that has left these people in a power struggle ever since. The last colonie in africa gained independence in 1984.  these are recent struggles.  Apartheid just ended in S.Africa.
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The problems with choosing research paper topics.
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I've never read much about your topic but I think these links might help you with your research paper.  Good luck with it.
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I found these 2 articles that will hopefully help.  You should honestly check out www.allafrica.com they have a lot of Africa's papers conglomerated.\n\noff our backs, July-August 2005 v35 i7-8 p4(2) \nKenya: all-women village thrives. (news)(Brief Article) Priya Verma; Sara Schoenleber; Carol Anne Douglas; Rachel Pleatman; Jen Mainville; Annsley Chapman; Jennifer Chapin-Harris; Tess Mueting. \nFull Text: COPYRIGHT 2005 Off Our Backs, Inc. \n\nSeeking to escape domestic violence, rape, forced marriage, and other abuse, several dozen women have founded a matriarchal, women-only village that is drawing both economic prosperity, and hatred and jealousy of local men. \n\nThe village of Umoja, meaning "unity" in Swahili, was founded 10 years ago on an abandoned plot of land among dry grasslands. Their dung-and-mud huts are built in a circular pattern and house several dozen women in a thriving and happy village. The women have built a cultural center, a camping site for hikers destined for the nearby Samburu National Reserve, and a business making and selling traditional beadwork necklaces. \n\nIn response local men tried founding their own, men-only village and tourist center. The tourism plan flopped and the men have turned to spying on the women's village, filing a court case to try and shut down the village, and physically attacking the women. The village leader, Rebecca Lolosoli, has even received death threats after attending the recent United Nations world conference on gender. \n\n"We do not have peace in the village now. These men are so angry because we have money and we do not give them any," said Lolosoli. \n\n--info from Worldpulse Magazine 7/05, news.telegraph 8/1/05 \n\nnews compiled by Priya Verma, Sara Schoenleber, Carol Anne Douglas, Rachel Pleatman, Jen Mainville, Annsley Chapman, Jennifer Chapin-Harris and Tess Mueting \n\nAfrica News Service, March 24, 2005 pNA \nSpeed Up Empowerment of Women, Kenya Urged. \nFull Text: COPYRIGHT 2005 Africa News Service. News Provided by Comtex. \n\nNairobi, Mar 25, 2005 (The East African Standard/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- A Ugandan Member of Parliament Ms Miriam Matembe has challenged the Kenya Government to commit itself to the regional instruments agreed upon by other African countries that recognise Affirmative Action for women. \n\n"As a member of the Pan African Parliament, it saddens me that Kenya is not moving in line with the African Union by not having a woman in the regional parliament. The AU recognises that there can be no meaningful development without women's participation," she said. \n\nKenya has not ratified the AU Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa that was adopted in 2003. \n\nThis protocol is a regional supplement the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women. \n\nIn her opinion, as long as Kenya remains reluctant to streamline policies and laws that promote gender equality it will be difficult to catch up with developments in Uganda and Tanzania. \n\n"How can we enter regional integration when our laws, policies and political systems are not harmonised?" she posed. \n\nCopyright The East African Standard. Distributed by All Africa Global Media(AllAfrica.com) \n\nNews Provided by COMTEX (http://www.comtexnews.com)
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go here\nhttp://www.undp.org.za/misc/resources.html\n\nor here\nhttp://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107983.html
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Maputo / Mozambique - see link below.\n\nhttp://allafrica.com/stories/200603120005.html
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1. Take some pride in your work - spell check and capitalization work wonders.\n\n2. If you need an essay on African Slave Heroes, then I suggest that you do some research and write your paper. Take some responsibility for your own learning and do not expect others to do your work for you -- it is unethical and just plain wrong.
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http://geography.about.com/library/misc/blregions.htm
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Pick a topic that really interests you and is mentioned in the press but not constantly.  I would not pick the war in Iraq, for example.  Maybe I would write about U.N. policy towards Palestine or Yugoslavia instead, or the Somalian situation.  Research thoroughly and get quotes.  Get statistics and real life stories.  Develop a set of themes and general summary.  Then outline each paragraph with a main point and shape the sentences around that point.  Do not avoid descriptive, metaphorical language and sound political, emotional and yet scientifically accurate.\n\nI cannot stress enough how important it is to know your topic matter and to pick something you are interested in and learn from.  Years ago, I had to write an article on Pakistan and hated it.  It wasn't an interesting country at all and information on events there are inaccurate and underreported.  I had no say in the matter.  We had an impromptu 'U.N. conference' skit and day dedication in history class.
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Open this link http://www.southafrica.co.za/about_sa_26.html and scroll down to any of these categories you may need:\nAgriculture\nArts and Culture\nCities of South Africa\nComing to SA\nCommunications\nEconomy\nGeneral Information\nHistory\nI am an African...\nSafety Security & Defence\nThe Good News\nTourism\nTransport
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Oh, Lord. Research the history between the Irish protestants and the Irish Catholics and you have your paper, my dear. There's so much conflict there it's enough to fill your thesis to the brim.
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Hi. Start here : http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0503/excerpt3.html or here : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2520815.stmre :
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Hi there;\n\nI have to hand it to you! You are showing a lot of gumption for taking on an assignment covering an entire continent of nations like that.\nI can list for you some very fine links (safe links) which can assist you in your endeavors. Good luck I hope you do well. :)
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This should help to clarify things.\n\nThe essay is not intended as original research. Its main point is to review (critically) the perspectives of historians on some important theme. Think of yourself as an intelligent "referee" among divergent viewpoints. By the same token, you do not need to be  "neutral" about the different perspectives. You can--and should--explain how you evaluate the issue and whether you support one conclusion or another, or some synthesis.   More…..\n\nhttp://www.und.nodak.edu/instruct/akelsch/Grad%20gender/Historiographic%20Essay.htm\n\n\nOnce you see what arguments historians and other writers are making about a subject, you will be better informed and better able to argue about who you think is right and why. Ultimately, you will be writing an article of your own with your term paper within the context of a historiographical conversation. You will have more context, and nothing makes sense without context.  More…..\n\nhttp://www.ccds.charlotte.nc.us/tanderson/historiographic_essay.htm\n\nGood luck.\n\nKevin, Liverpool, England.
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Google Mali Africa. \n\nGoogle knows all.