Term Paper Guidelines
For help in determining a topic for your term paper, click here.
You have a choice of completing either a conventional term paper or a project alternative. The specific nature of the project alternative varies from one course to another (see specific requirements hyperlinked on the course requirements page for the course you are taking). If you choose the term paper, the following guidelines apply:
1. The paper should be 10 pages in length (1" margins, double spaced, 12 point font, not counting the title page or reference list), which corresponds to roughly 2500 to 3000 words. I won't be pickily pedantic about the length requirements, but serious deviations from this requirement will not be accepted. Papers must be typed (word processed) and stapled. Please help support the struggling paper industry, and do not use paper clips, arc welding, tape, or corners that are turned over. Due to problems with software compatibility issues, unless otherwise advised please do not email me your paper as a document attachment. Print off a hard copy and submit that.
2. It must utilize APA style citations. I will not be fussy about technical specifics of APA style, but do expect you to adhere to the general guidelines for citing sources, as follows.
a. Citations at the end of the article (references page)
Citing a journal article (single author)
Rufizzuf, K. The innate superiority of the cat. Journal of Feline Psychology, 2001 (March), 12(3), 132-145.
Citing a journal article (multiple authors)
Tikitirp, A.; Rufizzuf, K.; and Pintac, O. Why cats should rule the world. Comparative Felinology, 2002 (April), 13(4), 35-65.
Citing a book-length work
Enilef, U. Cognitive growth and development in the domestic shorthair. New York: Ailurophile Press, 1999, pp. 35-87.
b. Citations within the body of your paper
It is well known that cats are superior to humans (Rufizzuf, 2001).
As stated by Tikitirp et al. (2002), "Society would be vastly improved if cats were in charge."
Enilef (1999) argues that the intellectual development of felines exceeds that of humans at an early age.
Consult the Writing Center on campus if you have additional questions about APA style citations. Papers utilizing MLA or other citation formats will not be accepted.
3. It must cite a minimum of three suitable references. Book-length professional works in psychology, journal articles, and reputable Web materials constitute suitable references. Textbooks, encyclopedia, personal communications including lecture materials, and works in popular magazines are not suitable references (do not count toward the minimum total of three, though they may be cited for other purposes). No more than one Web resource may be counted toward the total of three minimum suitable references.
4. A topic relevant to the course -- anything of your choosing that meets this requirement -- is, naturally, required. Consult with me if you have difficulty generating ideas for a topic.
5. Papers will be graded on clarity and coherence of expression, theoretical accuracy, relevance, creativity, and interest.
6. As noted in the general syllabus for all courses, plagiarism (passing off the work of another author as your own original work) constitutes grounds for an automatic F for the semester. Consult with the Writing Center if you do not know how to use appropriate citations to avoid charges of plagiarism.