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TBone6102
research_paper_boot_camp-7-30-13.pptxResearch Paper Boot Camp
Personal Trainer: Andrew Burklund Learning Center Coordinator – St. Cloud Campus
Objectives
An overview of the Research Process (note: there are various in-depth webinars on many topics we discuss tonight)
Tools to help you organize and take notes.
Outlining and Thesis writing techniques.
Writing techniques to organize and develop thoughtful paragraphs.
What do you think is the best definition of a Research Paper?
POLL #1
ANSWER:
In short, you use your source material and your own insights to prove your point(s).
Research:
Consciously cite source material in various parts of your paper in an attempt to prove your conclusions are valid.
This does not mean that you copy and paste someone else’s work; it means you can use tiny insights from other authors and properly cite them in your text. Make sure to give the authors credit for their work.
Analysis:
You need to investigate and evaluate sources with the intention of offering an interpretation of the source material in the context of the overall topic.
Q: What is a Research Paper?
ANSWER:
It is NOT using information and claiming it as your own.
It is NOT a summary.
Copying another author’s work without properly citing them in your paper is plagiarism, and plagiarism is strictly prohibited; see our Academic Integrity Online Guide.
Q: What is NOT a Research Paper?
Think of this like stretching before you run.
Read your assignment CAREFULLY!
Your instructor will provide you with a topic or list of topics to research.
ASK QUESTIONS! Contact your instructor early and frequently to discuss your questions and topic ideas.
Before Starting Research
What is the length of the paper?
How many sources are required?
What type of sources are required?
Is the topic provided or do you have to narrow down the topic yourself?
Are there keywords or phrases that you do not understand?
What are the important deadlines/due dates?
Special notes from instructors.
Knowing your Assignment
Before you decide on a topic and invest a lot of time and effort, do a quick search to make sure there is enough information available.
Jot down key terms related to your topic. Answer all of the following:
Who?
What?
Where?
When?
Why?
How?
Preview Topic & Keywords
The Good: Wikipedia is a great place to
look for keywords and phrases to START.
The Bad: Wikipedia might have
great information, but it should
not be used on your bibliography.
The Ugly: Wikipedia provides open
source access. This means that content
can be edited and changed. This helps
you know where to start but should not
be the compass.
Wikipedia – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
A system for taking notes is vital to organization.
Notebook paper
Note Cards
Electronic note taking websites and apps
EverNote or Google Notes to name a few.
Write information in your own words. Put quotation marks around word-for-word info.
Taking Notes
Keep track of your sources and the info you collect.
NoodleBIB is GREAT tool that will format and create a bibliography for you!
Keep track of your sources early on.
Skim a source.
If you take notes, collect source information.
Make your bib. on-going, not an afterthought.
If you utilize information from a source, write it down so you don’t forget/lose it.
NoodleBib
NoodleBib
As a Rasmussen student, you should have an account already set up for you.
1. Click on Existing User
2. Personal ID should be in the form of firstname.lastname
3. Your password is the same as your Rasmussen password
Please Contact the Personal Support Center 1-866-693-2211 for questions on your personal account.
NOTE: You may be asked for a school/library username and password. For that information, contact your Rasmussen librarian.
It’s time to run the race! You can have a perfectly written paper, but without the research to back your ideas, the paper will not cross the finish line.
Research Time
Use quality sources!
Evaluate information with a critical eye. Make sure you know/understand who published the content, when it was published, and WHY it was published.
You can’t always judge a book by its cover….but who would you rather get medical advice from?
A. Or B.
Evaluating Your Sources
Consider domain names for websites.
.edu (educational)
.gov (government)
.org (non-profit organization)
.com (commercial) – These are most common and can contain bias. Read/analyze carefully. Some are useful, many are not.
Look for important information needed in your bibliography.
Can you find better info somewhere else?
Evaluating Websites
Why are Databases usually better than Websites?
POLL #2
Quality vs. Quantity
Searching the Internet may give you information faster, but databases will give you better information.
Rasmussen has100+ different databases.
Databases return scholarly/reputable publications.
Most sources include all required information for your bibliography.
Databases 101
How to find Databases:
Student Portal -> Library Resources ->
E-Resources -> All Databases Listed
Discovery – 1st database in list of databases. Searches all databases at once.
Databases 101 Continued.
Quotation Marks
Let’s use the term Boot Camp for our search.
No Quotation Marks:
Quotation Marks:
Better Database Searching
Full Text
Make sure you are searching for
full text only.
Let’s use the term Boot Camp for
our search.
Without Full Text:
With Full Text:
Better Database Searching
Peer Reviewed
High quality source.
Reviewed and edited by other professionals before publication.
Better Database Searching
Advanced Options
Lets you search titles, authors, subjects, and date ranges exclusively.
Add other terms to search for and limit the search.
Helps make your results more specific
Let’s use the term “Boot Camp” and search only in titles.
Better Database Searching
353
Let’s narrow it down even more:
Search: “Boot Camp” -> (Titles only) AND Military
Full Text
Peer Reviewed
Better Database Searching
Cover Page
Introduction (approximately ½ page)
Catches the readers attention, sets up needed background information, and presents the Thesis.
Body Paragraphs (Varying lengths)
Primary part of the paper. Typically 3+ paragraphs.
Information presented to defend/argue the Thesis.
Presents cited information.
Conclusion (approximately ½ page)
Re-evaluates information and closes strong.
Bibliography
Components of a Paper
Our Practice Paper
Your instructor has just assigned you a Research Paper on:
“Why Rasmussen is Awesome”
A graphic organizer might help you brainstorm ideas.
Great Instructors
Support
Community Involvement
Defines the reason you are writing.
The thesis is the roadmap of your paper.
Clearly indentifies the topic being discussed.
Is specific: it should only cover what is being discussed in the paper.
Is arguable: your research needs to support this idea.
Ideally is one sentence long and located at the end of your introduction.
Develop a Thesis
An announcement:
My paper will be about…
I have researched …and will write…
Obvious:
Friendship is important.
College is difficult.
A question:
How does long distance friendship work?
Which is better, a little dog or a large dog?
A Thesis is NOT:
Outline Your Paper
Use your outline to write the paper.
The body paragraphs are the heart and soul.
Paragraphs should present a blend of your ideas & analysis and SUPPORT your thesis.
Be sure that you use a topic sentence.
3-4 sentences minimally with research.
At least 1 paragraph per topic of your outline.
Avoid personal pronouns:
You, your, we, I, my, us…
Body Paragraphs
Simply defined:
It’s stealing; Using words, thoughts, or ideas that are not your own.
A paper should be your thoughts SUPPORTED by the research.
Utilize:
Quotation marks.
Paraphrasing with citations.
Plagiarism
You must utilize research from a variety of sources/authors.
It does NOT mean you copy and paste.
It means you can use tiny insights from other authors and properly cite them in your text. Make sure to give the authors credit for their work.
WHEN IN DOUBT, CITE!
Avoiding Plagiarism
Expand Outline, Add Research, Cite!
One of the many reasons Rasmussen is so wonderful is because of the trained instructors available to help. According to a student satisfaction survey done in 2011, 95% of students felt their instructors were “very willing to provide assistance” (Smith, 2011).
Keep expanding this paragraph. Paraphrase content and also provide direct quotes. Give credit where credit is due! Make sure your paragraph supports the thesis.
Visit the APA online guide:
Videos, handouts, guides
Download the Research Paper Guide
Download the APA Paper Template!
Utilize your Librarian.
“Work Smarter, Not Harder”
Proofreading is the polish. This is where many mistakes can be found.
Mechanic Mistakes
Citations Mistakes
Plagiarism
Brainfuse Writing Lab
Tutors
Librarians
Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!
Unsure? Perplexed? Confused?
Don’t forget:
Ask your instructor questions!
Learning Center Coordinators and Librarians can help.
You can ask a tutor.
Use the Online Resources.
ASK QUESTIONS.
Ways to get Help:
Email [email protected]
Email [email protected]
Visit the online APA guide: guides.rasmussen.edu/apa
Text a question to 952-314-3920, begin with “askLLC”
IM & Twitter: LLCRasmussen
Chat on the Library Resources home page
Use the ANSWERS Database rasmussen.libanswers.com
If all else fails, call any campus and ask for help!
Questions about this presentation?
Please feel free to contact me at [email protected]
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https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LLCWebinars
Personal Support Center (PSC)
1-866-693-2211
