AC547 The Research Paper

1. AC547 The Research Paper • Consider your target audience and possible publication venues • Access the most recent copy of the appropriate style guide and editorial policy and style instructions

2. Examples of Style Guides and Manuals • The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers • The Publication of the American Psychological Association (APA) • A Manual For Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (Turabian) • The Chicago Manual of Style • The Elements of Style by Struck and White • The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation

3. Examples of Citations Within Text • A recent study found a possible genetic cause of alcoholism (Pauling, 2005). • Pauling (2005) discovered a possible genetic cause of alcoholism • A recent study found a possible genetic cause of alcoholism (Pauling & Liu, 2005). • Pauling and Liu (2005) discovered a possible genetic cause of alcoholism. A recent study found a possible genetic cause of alcoholism (Pauling, Liu, & Guo, 2005). • Pauling, Liu, and Guo (2005) conducted a study that discovered a possible genetic cause of alcoholism. • Pauling et al. (2005) discovered a possible genetic cause of alcoholism. • A recent study found a possible genetic cause of alcoholism (Pauling et al., 2005).

4. Examples of Citations Within Text • Recent studies have found a possible genetic cause of alcoholism (Pauling, 2004, 2005a, 2005b). • Pauling (2004, 2005a, 2005b) conducted several recent studies study that discovered a possible genetic cause of alcoholism • Recent studies have found a possible genetic cause of alcoholism (Alford, 1995; Pauling, 2004, 2005; Sirkis, 2003) • When asked why his behavior had changed so dramatically, Max simply said "I think it's the reinforcement" (Pauling, 2004, p. 69).

5. References or Bibliography • Depend on source of information—book, periodical, website, interview, etc. • An example: • Deno, N. C.; Richey, H. G.; Liu, J. S.; Lincoln, D. N.; Turner, J. O. J. Amer. Chem. Soc.1965, 87, 4533-4538

6. Organization of the Paper • Title Page: Title, Your Name, Professor’s Name, Course title, Date of Submission • Abstract • Table of Contents • List of Illustrations • Introduction • Background and Related Literature • Statement of Hypothesis • Methodology and Data Collection • Data Analysis and Results • Limitations • Conclusions and Implication for Future Research • References or Bibliography • Endnotes/Appendices/Tables/Figures

7. Demonstrate Information LiteracySource: The Association of College and Research Libraries (www.ala.org/ala/acrl/) • Determine the nature and extent of the information needed • Define and articulate the need for information • Identify a variety of types and formats of potential sources of information • Consider the costs and benefits of acquiring the needed information • Reevaluate the nature and extent of the information needed

8. Demonstrate Information LiteracySource: The Association of College and Research Libraries (www.ala.org/ala/acrl/) • Access needed information effectively and efficiently • Select the most appropriate investigative methods or information retrieval systems for accessing the needed information • Construct and implement effectively-designed search strategies • Retrieve information online or in person using a variety of methods • Refine the search strategy as necessary • Extract, record, and manage the information and its sources

9. Demonstrate Information LiteracySource: The Association of College and Research Libraries (www.ala.org/ala/acrl/) • Evaluate information and its sources critically and incorporate selected information into your knowledge base and value system • Summarize the main ideas to be extracted from the information gathered • Articulate and apply initial criteria for evaluating both the information and its sources • Synthesize main ideas to construct new concepts • Compare new knowledge with prior knowledge to determine the value added, contradictions, or other unique characteristics of the information • Determine whether the new knowledge has an impact on the individual’s value system and take steps to reconcile differences • Validate understanding and interpretation of the information through discourse with other individuals, subject-area experts, and/or practitioners • Determine whether the initial query should be revised

10. Demonstrate Information LiteracySource: The Association of College and Research Libraries (www.ala.org/ala/acrl/) • Individually or as a member of a group use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose • Apply new and prior information to the planning and creation of a particular product or performance • Revise the development process for the product or performance • Communicate the product or performance effectively to others

11. Demonstrate Information LiteracySource: The Association of College and Research Libraries (www.ala.org/ala/acrl/) • Understand many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and access and use information ethically and legally • Understand the ethical, legal and socio-economic issues surrounding information and information technology • Follow laws, regulations, institutional policies, and etiquette related to the access and use of information resources • Acknowledge the use of information sources in communicating the product or performance