Political Science
Dr. Dominguez
University of San Diego
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| Research Advice |
One of the first things you can do to learn how to write a good research paper is learn that researching does NOT involve "googling". Alright, it CAN involve "googling", but it also MUST involve reading books and articles in respected newspapers and periodicals. Learn how to search for information, and what kinds of information are available, by attending a library orientation workshop. As will become obvious as you learn how many sources are out there in cyberspace and in the halls of actual libraries, you will learn that there are two types of sources: primary sources, which are first hand accounts of events and official documents, and secondary sources like newspaper articles and historical analyses. It's important to learn to look for primary sources, because in any summary or analysis you're going to get somebody's interpretation and simplification of history. We want you to learn how to interpret events and important documents on your own. For some advice on looking for primary sources,check out the University of California, Berkeley's library website. (Some information there is specific to UCBerkeley--but once you know how to navigate USD's book and database searches, the basic techniques still apply). Below are some specific sources that are *definitely* worth checking out! Congressional Quarterly's Encyclopedia of American Government (for basic facts) The CQ Researcher Online has "original, comprehensive reporting and analysis on issues in the news. Controversial topics addressed in a balanced, unbiased manner." Just put in the keyword "affirmative action", for example, and a dozen reports come up analyzing the issue, presenting all of the relevant facts and chronologies, and offering "pro" and "con" arguments. Lexis-Nexis newspaper, magazine, and law review database is a fantastic resource for learning the basics of current events and recent history. Other American Government Gateway Sources
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| Plagiarism |
One word: don't. Don't "borrow" or download somebody else's paper off the internet. Don't pay somebody to write your paper for you. Duh. Don't think you can copy and paste even a sentence off the internet without citing it. If I read a sentence that doesn't sound like you, I will Google the phrase and find your source. Then you will be in big trouble. Don't think it's ok to diligently put quotations around and cite every sentence in your paper. That's not original thinking either. Do... Be original! You have opinions. Tell me why YOU think the way you do. Cite your sources. I like the parenthetical style and the Chicago Manual of Style, but I'm not picky! There are two major guides about how to format your citations: Chicago and the Modern Language Association. Basic information on how to cite sources according to each is available from the USD writing center's website (left hand side). The guides themselves are in the Reference section of the library and internet summaries are also available at Copley library's website . Remember that you will learn more and be prouder of yourself if you create your own intellectual product than if you simply make a copy of what others have said. Remember the punishments for plagiarism can be severe. Refresh yourself on the rules with this worksheet.
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| Writing and Editing |
USD and other universities have put some great writing guides on the web. Here, from MIT, UNC, USD, and Purdue, are some of the best I've found... The basics of the writing process. MIT Pre-write. Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) Have a thesis. University of San Diego Organize. Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) Transition between ideas. University of North Carolina Edit! Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) Grammar matters. University of San Diego Dealing with writer's block. Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL)
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| Writing Center |
The Writing Center says..."USD Students may bring work in any stage of completion to the Writing Center, from brainstorming notes to rough drafts to graded essays. Our staff includes tutors experienced in working with students for whom English is a second language and with graduate students working on small and large writing projects. The Writing Center provides services free to all USD students." |