Here are the seven steps to follow when completing your research papers:

Step 1:  SCHEDULE.  Look at the schedule to determine which lecture is coming up next (the up-coming Tuesday).  It is generally posted on the Wednesday or Thursday prior to the next lecture date-which gives you 5 days to complete the assignment.  Occasionally it is posted earlier or before the weekend to give you more time to do the assignment.

Step 2:  INSTRUCTIONS.  READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE LECTURE TO DETERMINE THE CONTENT OF YOUR RESEARCH PAPER.

Step 3:  RESEARCH.  Use the web links provided in the assignment to research the content of your research paper. Take notes on what you learn on the web.  Don't print the resource materials unless you find a specific piece of information that is particularly important for you!  The intent is to get you familiar with note-taking as an efficient way to capture information for your assignments-and not to create a wasted stack of paper you may not find useful in the long term.  What ever you do, do NOT copy verbatim or plagiarize any portion of the source materials--use your own words.  In addition, it is fine to work together to share ideas and notes, but you should not work with others on the actual assignment. Make sure your ideas are your own and written in your own words.

Step 4:  WRITE.  Read the target questions and write the research paper.  It must conform to the following specifications:

• Papers should be brief but complete: Plan to type one page, but if you can cover the materials in slightly less than a page, do so.  If your paper is less than a page and not adequate, you will be asked to redo the paper.
   
• Unless otherwise stated, your work must be typed SINGLE-SPACED on a single sheet of 8-1/2 x 11" white paper.  Don't include a title, binder, cover, paper protector or cover sheet.
   
• All margins are 1" (top, bottom, right, left).
   
• The back side is to be left blank.
   
• The type font is to be standard black 12-point Times New Roman or similar.  The font is to be normal position, normal single space, 100% scale, no kerning, and no special effects.  You may either indent paragraphs or leave a blank line between paragraphs.
   
• Include your name (first and last), the date the assignment is due (day, month, year) and the assignment number ("Assignment 1") on the first three lines in the upper left-hand corner of the paper, inside the margins.  Don't title your paper.  Leave one (1) blank line between the identification information and the start of your first paragraph.
   
• Use proper grammar and spelling.  The writing standard for this class is CIM level 4 for construction, usage, grammar, spelling and conventions.  If you need a refresher or are not familiar with the CIM benchmarks refer to the course syllabus; a web link pointing to the level 4 standard is provided.
   
• Use concise, simple declarative statements to detail your research.  Use your own words.  Cover the materials in as much detail as YOU need to create a meaningful record for YOUR future reference.  Make sure your paper demonstrates to Prof. Tanner that you have covered the materials and have a lasting record of the content for future reference. The paper you construct is not for persuasion, arguments or opinions, it is for factual information that you recover from the provided web resources.  If you have problems with writing-or just need some writing help, visit the Center for Writing and Learning located at the Valley Library.  The Center offers free help for any writing task at any level or stage.
   
• Decline any invitation or inclination to use any other student's work from this term or any previous term.  That will result in an academic dishonesty issue for you and the person who supplied the materials.  Put your energy into doing the paper.

Step 5:  CITATIONS.  Cite your sources at the end of your paper (leave a single blank line after your last paragraph and include your citation).  Please use the citation builder link below to build appropriate citations.  Your citations must use this tool or match the output provided by the tool.

MAKE SURE YOUR CITATIONS ARE REFORMATTED TO MATCH THE REST OF YOUR TEXT.  DO NOT JUST COPY/PASTE A WEB LINK-THAT IS NOT A CITATION. 

When you use materials provided by another person, you always provide a citation of the source of your information (even if you know the reader is aware of your sources).  Web citations can be difficult, and you will need to use a modified MLA style for citations.  Because I am providing your web resources, I have shortened the citation style that you are to use.

• Are you having trouble putting together a proper citation for your papers?
• Do you find putting together citations a pain?
• Would you like some help with your citations?

You can solve all of these problems by clicking on the link below. This takes you to a tool that will help you construct properly-formatted citations for your papers and research. All you need to do is to click on the citation type and then fill in the form. One done, you can either cut-paste the citation from the citation maker and into your paper (make sure the format matches the destination format), or you can make an RTF file for use later.

CITATION BUILDER

Here is a general citation specification you can use for this class:

Author name if given (last, first). "Title of material accessed." Posting date (not access date) of material if given--Day Mon. Year, Publication Medium--Online. Computer Service Name--Internet. Date of access--Day Mon. Year. Base URL (Home page of materials).

Sample:

Tanner, Ray.  "BA171 Syllabus." BA171 Course Online.  Internet. 30 Sept. 2002. WWW.BUS.Oregonstate.EDU.

Step 6:  SUBMIT.  Print two copies of your paper.  Bring both copies to class on Tuesday.  Take notes on one and save it for your records; turn the other one in at the end of class on Tuesday.  NOTE:  You will be writing an "attendance code" on the top of your paper just prior to handing it in...listen for that code because that is what gets you your points for participation.

Step 7:  Congratulations, you are done! Take a break and we will see you in class on Tuesday.

Here is a picture of a sample paper:

© 2002-2005   Ray D. Tanner; Oregon State University