Term paper

Term paper project info, John Ryan’s Math 1350 (Stat 251), Math 142, and Math 210 classes.

This is a departmental requirement, not mine.

I suspect that most of you will use a word processor for the text in your research project. Please use Microsoft Word for your word processor, not Adobe.pdf. You may write your project in longhand (cursive or printing) if you want to, as long as I can read it.

Single space or double space your text. Use a font that is easy to read. My favorite is Calibri. Do not use a cursive font or some weird font, such as heavy metal. For your text use a size 10, 11, or 12 font. For headings use a size no larger than 16.

You are advised to make a photocopy of your term paper prior to emailing it to me. You should also keep a copy on a hard disk on a computer, or on some type of storage device such as a flash drive or a floppy disk. I could accidently delete it. I recommend that you turn in your term paper directly to me, rather than leaving it in the department office to be placed in my mailbox [Disregard, spring 2021]. Your paper is not officially turned in until I mark it on my list. I will not accept “but I left it in the office with the office clerk” as an excuse for not seeing to it that your term paper gets into my hands. [Disregard]

I don’t expect a long, say 25 page, essay or dozens of references. It is impossible to put a precise number on the number of pages I expect. It will vary depending on the topic, and whether you single space or double space. Those papers with calculations and equations will generally be shorter than an expository topic, such as “The Contributions of Candace Pert to neuroscience.”

For equations you may skip a line, write the equations on a line, and skip another line before resuming text.

You may either indent paragraphs or skip a line.

I am not a stickler for spelling, but obvious typographical errors, such as “thr” instead of “the” are indicative of carelessness. Look over your paper and correct your typos! If I correct them I will deduct points.

You may either intersperse drawings, charts, photos, etc. in your text or place them in an appendix.

Of course you will use sources, but write your paper in your own words. Do not copy your source verbatim, except for brief quotes. Use quotation marks when you quote from sources.

Exactly how you cite your quotes is up to you. There are several acceptable styles.

List your sources under Bibliography or References as the last item in your project, whether you have quoted them or not. Some projects may not need any more than two sources. Others may need slightly more. I don’t expect a long list of sources.

If you use Wikipedia as a source, use at least two other sources.

I am not picky about what particular style you use for your references. Examples of acceptable styles are:

Book:

Human Anatomy and Physiology, Elaine N. Marieb, R. N., Ph. D., 2nd edition, Benjamin Cummings Publishing Co., 1992,p. 378.

Journal article:

Leifer, Ron. “A Critique of Medical Coercive Psychiatry, and an Invitation to Dialogue”, Ethical Human Sciences and Services, 3 (3), pp. 161-173, (2001).

Newspaper:

Sterling, Ron, “Hoeller does a disservice to professionals”, op-ed rebuttal, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 9 September, 2003.

Internet:

Eccles, John C. (1903-1997), Encyclopedia of Psychology by George B. Joseph, accessed Nov. 16, 2007

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2699/is_0004/ai_2699000451, accessed Oct. 3, 2006

April 19 is the deadline for choosing a topic. Students who have not chosen a topic by 5:00PM on that date will be chosen a topic by yours truly, without any input from the student, and I will not let the student change the topic. The student will be informed of the assigned topic via email.

The term paper is to be emailed to me by Wednesday, May 12 for full credit. Points will be deducted (minimum 6 points) from papers emailed after that date, depending on how late the paper is emailed. The term paper must be turned in to receive credit for the course. If a paper is not turned in by 5:00 PM Friday, May 14, the student will receive the grade of ‘F’ for the course.