Research Paper

Course Details

Course Number: RADS 6883  Section Number: 101

Fall 2011

Location: Bridwell Hall

Classroom Number: 204

Days & Times:

TBA
 

Course Attachments

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Jeffrey Killion   
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Course Objectives

Write a research paper

This paper is to be a substantial manuscript that reflects graduate level effort. The body of the paper (excludes components such as the cover page, abstract, reference list, appendices, etc.)  Only PEER-REVIEWED resources published within the past five (5) years can be cited.  It should demonstrate the student's ability to gather and discriminate pertinent resources, the ability to SYNTHESIZE information from a variety of sources, the ability to apply new information to a topic, and the ability to correctly use the APA Reference Style.


Course Expectations
  • Do some preliminary review of the literature to be sure you can find enough of the right resources. I strongly encourage you to build on a paper you have already submitted and gotten feedback on, such as your RADS 5003 paper.
  • Submit your topic with a detailed outline for approval before you start writing your exit file paper.  Be sure to indicate how this paper will be written - as a review of the literature only, or a survey, or a pilot original research study, etc?
  • If you want to do a survey or research project, you need to get approval or an exemption from the MSU Human Subjects Committee.  http://web.mwsu.edu/hsrc/index.asp   Most of the surveys our students do require an exemption rather than approval.  Read the website to understand how you should file.  Send a draft of the survey to me and I will give you feedback.  After I give you my feedback send the revised survey and the completed exemption form to me and I will get the appropriate signatures and forward it to the MSU HSRC.  They will let you know if / when the approval or exemption is granted.  Include the approval / exemption number in your paper text.  While you are waiting for the survey approval / exemption, prepare to distribute the surveys and continue to refine your literature review.
  • Submit the first draft of the paper.  The paper must be in APA format (6th edition)and include the standard cover page that the program uses.  I will give you feedback and send them back to you. 
  • Write the second draft and resubmit.  Again I will give feedback as necessary.
  • Repeat until the faculty approve your paper.
  • Submit the final version of the paper.  I will have Lucy prepare the signature page, procure the signatures, and submit the appropriate MSU paperwork.

Submission Format Policy
  • IBM compatible format (not MAC)
  • Word 97 or newer version
  • Times New Roman or other typical legible font (not Courier) (10 or 12 point for bulk of text)
  • 1” margins on all sides
  • Double-spaced
  • Standard Cover Page


Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

The student must register for RADS 6883 each semester until the research paper is completed


Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

This course requires “continuous enrollment.”   You will not get an A-B-C letter grade for this course.  You will get either CREDIT meaning that you have successfully finished the paper or you will receive NO CREDIT meaning that you have NOT successfully finished the paper.  If, for whatever reason(s), you do not complete your paper during this semester, you must take this course again each semester until you do complete the paper.


Other Policies

Administrative Process:

Unresolved issues related to this course should be first addressed between the student and the section instructor.  If there is no resolution, students must follow this sequence: 

Graduate Coordinator – Dr. Jeff Killion (940-397-4659)

Department Chair – Dr. Donna Wright (940-397-4615)

College Dean – Dr. Susan Sportsman (940-397-4594)

Dean of Students – Dail Neely (940-397-6273)

Honor System:

RADS 5003 adheres to the MSU Code of Conduct.  In particular, academic dishonesty, however small, creates a breach in academic integrity.  A student's participation in this course comes with the expectation that his or her work will be completed in full observance of the MSU Code of Student Conduct.  A student should consult the 2000-2001 Student Handbook for answers to any questions about the code.

When students submit their efforts (literature review, journal article critiques, and course content assessments) for grading, they are attesting that they have abided by this rule.
 
By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a “limited right” in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course.  The “limited right” shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce the student’s work product in order to verify originality and authenticity, and for educational purposes. Specifically, faculty may submit student papers and assignments to an external agency to detect plagiarism.

Academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, etc.) will not be tolerated in this class. If a student is found to have committed academic dishonesty, a grade of zero (0) may be given for the paper, quiz, assignment, etc.  Cases may also be referred to the Dean of Students for possible dismissal from the university.


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.