Debate: Are Research Papers a Waste of Time?
Has the Internet made research papers a useless exercise for college students? Is there a better way to assess knowledge?

Claim: Research papers are a useful exercise for college students
Reason: The students will need to learn how to perform college work and write a serious paper.
Warrant 0: students can learn to write papers without the chore of research papers
Warrant 1: students cannot learn to write papers without the chore of research papers
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Research papers are a useful exercise for college students
Reason: Good research papers will require students to access real books and information.
Warrant 0: students already know how to read books and access information
Warrant 1: students don't know how to read books and access information
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Research papers are a useful exercise for college students
Reason: Students must thoroughly process information to apply it towards their paper.
Warrant 0: they often do not process information in thorough fashion, but parrot documents
Warrant 1: they alwayst process information in thorough fashion, rather than parrot documents
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Research papers are a useful exercise for college students
Reason: Writing research papers helps students to learn how to make valid arguments and find reliable sources which is important in today's information society.
Warrant 0: most students will not get jobs that require them to be able to form an argument
Warrant 1: most students will get jobs that require them to be able to form an argument
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Research papers are not a useful exercise for college students
Reason: Research papers uncover superficial uncritical thinking.
Warrant 0: college students aren't masters of critical thought
Warrant 1: college students are masters of critical thought
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Research papers are not a useful exercise for college students
Reason: Teaching students in the use of digital tools would be helpful.
Warrant 0: students already know how to use digital tools
Warrant 1: many students don't already know how to use digital tools
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: Research papers are not a useful exercise for college students
Reason: Good research papers will require students to access real books and information.
Warrant 0: research papers are not widely available to purchase at low costs online
Warrant 1: research papers are widely available to purchase at low costs online
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Research papers are not a useful exercise for college students
Reason: Research papers ensure that scholars, engineers and scientists can distinguish between fact and fiction.
Warrant 0: people can tell the difference between fact and fiction
Warrant 1: people can't tell the difference between fact and fiction
Correct warrant: 0