Paper outline 7

CNS 440 – Final Paper Guidelines The objective of the paper is for you to pursue extra reading and writing on a topic of your choosing that goes beyond what we have time to discuss in class. Please write your paper using 1500 to 2000 words. Multiple outside articles must be read and referenced in the paper.

Possible Topics: Anything you have a particular interest in is fair game as long as it relates to the topics of the class. If you want me to suggest a topic, send me email. If you’re not sure if your topic is appropriate, send me email. I will try to send couple of academic articles to jumpstart your paper. I have also posted a small list of potential topics in the D2L in “Paper Guidelines” module. Deliverables:

1) Submit a single file in either MS word, Open Office or PDF format containing your paper.

2) Papers have to be formatted and delivered according to the template under the “Paper Guidelines” section in D2L course page. You can choose either IEEE, APA6, or MLA citation format. If you feel that you need help on the citation part, feel free to consult the Publication manual of the American Psychological Association, any validated source on IEEE, APA6, or MLA citation, or contact me.

3) No more than 25% of the paper content should be quotes from other sources 4) Try to include at least 4 relevant, academic references that are not older than 5 years

(see point 8 for list of online libraries you can search for your article).

5) There is no minimum page requirement - write your paper using 1500 to 2000 words 6) It will be considered PLAGIARISM and you will automatically fail this assignment if

you:

¨ Use exact words or substantial ideas from any other person, article, or book in your paper without putting quotes around them and referring to an item in your reference list.

¨ Use information from any source which is not included in the reference list at the end of your paper.

5) My attention is focused on these major components:

¨ Content - does the paper have substance?

¨ Integration - is the author tying together the various sources?

¨ Coherence - does the paper follow a logical and consistent order?

¨ Length - is it long enough to say something without going on too long?

¨ Grammar - is bad grammar interfering with a smooth reading of the subject? 6) Hints:

¨ One goal of this paper is to show me that you understand the material. If you include a long quotation or a list of technical specifications, you have not shown understanding unless you follow up with a paragraph explaining why this is important or pertinent to your topic.

¨ Another goal of this paper is to add value to the reference materials. You can add value by combining several viewpoints that have not been previously considered together or by explaining some information from a different viewpoint than that of the original author.

¨ Your paper must go beyond the material covered in class. Please do not just repeat back information we have already covered in class.

¨ Include a clear introductory paragraph describing what you will discuss in the paper and a clear concluding paragraph at the end summarizing the paper.

¨ Think critically. 7) The University Center for Writing-based Learning has excellent resources for

students’ writing papers. There is no charge for this service. If your writing skills are not strong then talk with them. They have offices in Lincoln Park and in the Loop.

8) Libraries to search for your academic references:

¨ Science Direct http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.depaul.edu

¨ IEEE Xplore http://ieeexplore.ieee.org.ezproxy.depaul.edu/Xplore/home.jsp

¨ ACM Digital Library http://dl.acm.org.ezproxy.depaul.edu/dl.cfm

¨ Arxiv [no need to sign-in, free] http://arxiv.org/find

¨ Springer http://link.springer.com.ezproxy.depaul.edu

¨ SpringerLink http://link.springer.com.ezproxy.depaul.edu/search?facet- discipline=%22Computer+Science%22&facet-content- type=%22Book%22&showAll=false

¨ EBSCO http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.depaul.edu/ehost/search/advanced?sid=89a49 f04-719d-471f-87d1-9270dfdb1485%40sessionmgr4006&vid=0&hid=4214

¨ JSTOR http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.depaul.edu/action/showAdvancedSearch

¨ Lexis Nexis http://www.lexisnexis.com.ezproxy.depaul.edu/hottopics/lnacademic/

¨ Pro Quest http://proquestcombo.safaribooksonline.com.ezproxy.depaul.edu

¨ Ebrary http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy.depaul.edu/lib/depaul/search.action?p00=ebal