Psychology Psychology research assignment 2

he or she

2

Tips for improving student writing.

General notes on assignment writing.

The following instructions are meant to help you improve your writing, your understanding, and your grades for written assignments

FOLLOW DIRECTIONS AS PROVIDED ON SYLLABUS & IN CLASS

Formatting

• Use APA format

• Use cover sheet

  • Do not use presentation books, folders, sleeves, or clips

  • Staple (upper left) - do not rip, fold, paperclip, etc.

• DO NOT EXCEED word limits

• Double space – No extra spaces between sections or at the end of pages

• Do not change font (use Time, Arial 12pt), Do not change line spacing

• Use proper margins (1” – 2.54cm – all around)

• LIMIT DIRECT QUOTES (no quotes is best, paraphrase, use your own interpretation)

• Cite all claims, facts, theories, ideas, etc.

Language

• Use academic/scientific language

  • Avoid emotional, gendered, and slang language

  • Avoid contractions and abbreviations

• Define all terminology used (including acronyms)

  • Use clear definitions, Do not use terminology you do not understand

• Write clear and concise statements

• Complete all comparisons – e.g., XX more than YY, older vs. younger

• Use appropriate punctuation. A semi-colon (;) is not the same as a period (.)

• CONSULT the writing centre or a writing tutor
  

Remember

• Hypotheses are not PROVED they can only be supported

• Findings from studies are not FACTS. They are evidence to support claims (i.e., arguments, hypotheses, theories, or ideas)

PLAGIARISM: DON’T

• Plagiarism is any instance of copying text

  • Copying full sentences

  • Copying segments of sentences

  • Direct quotes without citations

  • Copying the wording of research references (even if you cite them)

Plagiarism Resources

http://pages.turnitin.com/rs/iparadigms/images/Turnitin_WhitePaper_PlagiarismSpectrum.pdf

http://turnitin.com/static/resources/documentation/turnitin/company/Turnitin_Whitepaper_Plagiarism_Web.pdf

http://pages.turnitin.com/rs/iparadigms/images/Turnitin_WhitePaper_SourcesSECvsHE.pdf

Examples

The following are examples pulled from the course Moodle assignments. These are generally examples of problematic statements or issues (although some may be examples of better/good statements). If one of the examples is from your group, do not feel targeted or discouraged – similar examples are found across all of the Moodle assignments for all of the groups.

Primary Issues

• Poor grammar, wording, sentence structure, and clarity

• Language not academic, punctuation (run-ons)

• Lack of description for concepts, theories, etc. No indication of how/why they are important or how/why they relate to the question asked or the argument being made

• Lack of flow – arguments do not proceed logically and are often a collection of unrelated or uninterpreted statements of fact, lack of integration

• Poor arguments - often incomplete and lack support

Writing Samples

This is an example of a good paragraph. The language is clear and easy to read. It is informative. It expresses an idea and provides support.

Millennials (Generation Y) were born after 1980 and are the children of the Baby Boomers. Overall, in contrast to Baby Boomers, the norm of the Generation Y workforce is to pick and choose ideal jobs based on personal goals and motivations. Westerman and Yamamura (2006) found that, for members of Generation Y, how well the work position fit in with their achievement goals was significantly more important than for Baby Boomers. However, for Baby Boomers, the presence of satisfactory relationships in the workplace was crucial (Westerman & Yamamura, 2006).

One norm that generation Y has changed in comparison to the previous generations would be starting the family at a later age (need citation for source). Factors that contribute to this change in norm includes starting a career, getting married and having children (evidence?, research?).

As each generation passes the concept of family has changed. (changed how?, how does this relate to later ages to start families, source support?) Roles in that the (wording/grammar) family hierarchy has altered and family norms have transformed.  (Transformed how?, why important, also has vs. have = tense change). Overall this statement is vague , unclear, and offers little actual information.

The reason why generation Y individuals are more focused on obtaining a longer education and a better job because they want to be economically stable (with cost of living being so high) first before getting married and having children, not only that but It has even become an expectation from employers and the individuals themselves. Sentence unclear, convoluted, run-on, grammar & wording. Also, what is the importance – this is a list of observations without an interpretation. What is the impact, why is this import?

An established norm that we believe Generation Y has changed is behavior and attitude in the work place. (First, one sentence is not a paragraph – this sentence was written alone. Also, vague: what behavior(s), what attitude(s), relative to what target/objects/actions? Needs info.

According to Cole (2002) Generation Y tends to be very optimistic in terms of their roles within the work environment and outside the realms of work (Cole, 2002). In contrast, Generation X can be perceived as more pessimistic in comparison; (no specific information)

A norm that we collectively believe that Generation Y has changed is by creating environmental awareness. (grammar, vague, awareness of what specifically, in who, why important, created how, how is environmental awareness a norm?)

One of the largest protocols that was introduced was the Kyoto protocol; this protocol aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions (Lixon, B., Thomassin, P. J., & Hamaide, B., 2008). Protocols are not large or small (wording, “most influential”, “with the greatest impact”?). In-text citation here is not APA (Lixon, Thomassin, & Hamaide, 2008). Additionally this is not an accurate statement for the assignment. The Kyoto Protocol is a United Nations initiative. The UN is primarily made up of members of older generations rather than Gen Y members. Just because something happens in the Gen Y lifetime does not mean this is a Gen Y affected change. This statement then does not speak to the question asked – what is Gen Y doing to bring about change.

For instance, in order for an individual to pursue a career in medicine (i.e. Doctor), they must complete two degrees and have 11-15 years of relevant?? (what is relevant) experience before getting a legitimate certification (what is legitimate, are there illegitimate certifications?);  run on sentence  whereas 50 years ago, the Baby Boomers had a less strict requirement to meet. (no explanation, less strict how?, no supporting evidence, clearly doctors must have still had to have qualifications?) In their time, education was rarely seen as something that was necessary in order for an individual to get a job. (Uneducated doctors?, apples/oranges in this comparison?).

Generation Y had changed the norm the amount of hours spend working (the traditional hours/the typical 9-5). (Had changed? This is no longer changed? Change how – increased, decreased?, Compared to? Gen X, previous?, What is the new norm?)

Due to this “people are assigning work a lower priority than in the past” (Smith 2010, p. 435). The in-text citation here is correct. However, this information could easily be paraphrased by the author(s) and incorporated into the larger narrative. There is no reason to directly quote this.

. . . this in turn impacts recruitment practices and the need companies to change their tactics . . . (grammar/wording  confusion)

Generation Y have (has) also seen that putting everything they have into a career is not quite worth it. (Worth what? To whom?, expand/explore)

The associations to being hairless were (???) seen as femininity, cleanliness, sensation, others’ preferences and reason of conformity to social norms. This sentence is poorly worded and grammatically incorrect. Wording causes confusion for the reader. Does not flow. Extract: “The associations were others’ preferences” makes little sense. Additionally, the sentence is trying to define a social norm (of female hairlessness) by referring to conformity to social norms (circular, defining concept with reference to the same concept).

Having been evolved down (no idea what this concept means – clear, academic language) from traditionalists (define/describe) and boomers (define/describe) to Generation X (define/describe)

. . . we feel that the norms have significantly changed in Generation Y . . . (what norms specifically?)

. . . interracial relationships is also another exclusive change to this generation (Todd et al, 2011). This statement is clearly false (as written). There have long been interracial relationships – these are not Gen Y exclusive. Authors must watch out for over-stating and exaggerating their claims, for presenting misleading claims, or simply from errors in wording that lead the reader to misinterpret what is being said (or what is attempting to be said).

Moreover, the Millenials are also more independent in mentality and . . . (more independent compared to who – complete all comparisons, what does independent in mentality mean – this would need to be described, discussed, and supported to be a valid and useful argument.

References

Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th edition). https://www.library.yorku.ca/find/Record/2323290

NOT APA

Journal Articles

Coelho, G., Clark, J., & Aurand, D. (2013).  Toxicity testing of dispersed oil requires adherence to standardized protocols to assess potential real world effects.  Environmental Pollution, 177, 185. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2013.02.004

• Article title: no bold

• 2nd/3rd lines: indent

• Page numbers incomplete

Hewlett, S. A., Sherbin, L., & Sumberg, K. (2009). How Gen Y & Boomers will reshape your agenda. Harvard Business Review, 87(7/8), 71-76.

• Article title: capitalization, & should be and

• Journal Title: italics, journal volume italics

• 2nd line: indent

Gerson, K. (2009). Changing lives, resistant institutions: A new generation negotiates gender, work and family change. Sociological Forum, 24(4), 735-753. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1573-7861.2009.01134.x

• Journal Title: Italics, journal volume italics

• 2nd/3rd lines: indent

        Boyd-Franklin, N., Franklin, A. J., & Kelly, S. (2008). Racism and invisibility. Journal of Emotional Abuse, 6(2-3), 9-10. doi: 10.1300/J135v06n02_02

• Reverse indentation

• Journal Title: italics, journal volume italics

Smith, K. T. (2010). Work-life balance perspectives of marketing professionals in generation Y.  Services Marketing Quarterly,31(4), 434. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/docview/755417924?accountid=15182

• Indentation

• Space after Quarterly,

• No need for Retrieved from . . .

• Complete page numbers

Books

Dr. Vincent R. Waldron, D. D. (2009). Marriage at Midlife: Counseling Strategies and Analytical Tools. Springer Publishing Company

• Author names (see below)

• 2nd/3rd lines: indent

• Publisher information: location

Book Sections (chapters in edited, scientific volumes)

Forsyth, D. R. (2010). Cohesion and development. In T. Matray (Ed.), Group dynamics (6th ed., pp. 147-149). Wadsworth, United Stated of America: Cengage learning.

• First BIG problem: This is not actually an edited book (this is a single author book, authored by Forsyth)

• 2nd line: indent

• Publisher info: location (see below)

CORRECT APA

Journal Articles

Coelho, G., Clark, J., & Aurand, D. (2013). Toxicity testing of dispersed oil requires adherence

to standardized protocols to assess potential real world effects .  Environmental

Pollution, 177, 185-188. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2013.02.004

Note, for journal articles, not all articles have a DOI. It is not always necessary to include the DOI in the reference (references without a DOI are perfectly acceptable).

Hewlett, S. A., Sherbin, L., & Sumberg, K. (2009). How Gen Y and boomers will reshape your

agenda. Harvard Business Review, 87(7/8), 71-76.

Gerson, K. (2009). Changing lives, resistant institutions: A new generation negotiates gender,

work and family change. Sociological Forum, 24(4), 735-753.

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1573-7861.2009.01134.x

Boyd-Franklin, N., Franklin, A. J., & Kelly, S. (2008). Racism and invisibility. Journal of

Emotional Abuse, 6(2-3), 9-10. doi: 10.1300/J135v06n02_02

Smith, K. T. (2010). Work-life balance perspectives of marketing professionals in generation

Y.  Services Marketing Quarterly, 31(4), 434-447.

Books

Waldron, V. R. & Kelley, D. L. (2009). Marriage at Midlife: Counseling Strategies

and Analytical Tools. New York: Springer.

Book Sections (chapters in scientific, edited volumes)

Forsyth, D. R. (2010). Cohesion and development. In T. Matray (Ed.), Group Dynamics (6th ed.,

pp. 147-149). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage learning.

Note this would only be a proper APA citation if Forsyth had written a chapter in a book where Matry was the editor.

Proper Citation for Forsyth Text (should not appear in your paper)

Forsyth, D. R. (2010). Group Dynamics (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage learning.

Note, electronic sources are generally not considered primary or academic sources (websites, etc. – anything other than an electronic journal).

Note, do not use graduate theses or dissertations. I’ve seen some in the assignments. It is unlikely that students have read these in their entirety.

Note, for sources, use more than just the abstract.