Research paper topics: popular articles

As you know, the first submission of your research paper is due next Monday, October 27, via E-Learning. As a reminder, full details about the research paper assignment are available on the syllabus and here (PDF).

Some students have contacted me with confusion about acceptable topics for the research paper. As a reminder, the assignment requires you to base your research paper on an article about sexuality from the popular press. The full research paper guidelines include the list of acceptable popular articles. For your convenience, here it is again:

Possible popular articles for research paper topics (PDF)

Remember: If this list does not include an article on the topic you’d like to research and write about, you are welcome to select your own article from the popular press. However, you must work with your TA to determine if the topic and article is appropriate for the assignment. You may use an article of your choosing only if you receive written approval from your TA before the paper is due.

If you have any questions or comments, leave them here.

Guide to successful research papers

One of the keys to successful writing is to make slow and steady progress toward your goal. That means that the best research papers we read this semester are probably going to be the ones you are working on now. It takes time to do good library research, synthesize what you discover, and write about it well.

To help you get started (if you haven’t already), the TAs have assembled a guide to writing a successful research paper. You can download the guide in PDF format here.

This very helpful guide offers advice on library research, writing style, and citation practices. Paying attention to the advice in this guide is the surest way to make your TA happy—and you want your TA to be happy.

Do you know of other useful resources for improving your research, writing, and citation skills? Let us know by leaving a comment.

Problems accessing Turnitin.com

Several students have reported that they are asked for a class ID and password when submitting their reaction papers to turnitin.com via E-Learning. You should not need this information.

The campus E-Learning specialists recommend that all students should log on to E-Learning and try to submit a test paper before tomorrow’s deadline to make sure turnitin.com is working properly. If you are asked for a class ID and password, please call the UF Computing Help Desk at 392-HELP, and they should be able to help you resolve the issue.

Update, 3:35 p.m.: Many students continued to have problems and weren’t getting help from the Help Desk. We’ve been in touch with the Help Desk and E-Learning specialists and have posted a new link on the E-Learning site to submit your paper. So far, this new link appears to be working (for reasons no one understands). Please try to submit your paper again and leave a comment to let us know about any problems you encounter. Sorry for the confusion, and thanks for your patience.

Update, 9:52 p.m.: Unfortunately, the problem persists. See my comment below for the latest.

Research paper guidelines online

As you know, your first reaction paper is due this Friday, Sept. 19. And in case you missed it the first time, see my earlier blog post about what’s expected for the reaction papers.

It’s also not too early to be thinking about your research paper. I’ve just posted full guidelines on what’s expected for that assignment, which you can find on the syllabus page (scroll down to the section on research papers). Or jump straight to the PDF here.

You’ll also notice that we’ve reorganized the categories on the right side of all pages on this website to make it easier for you to find information related to the course. You can find all posts about the reaction and research papers by following the link to writing assignments.

Reaction paper guidelines online

As you know, the first reaction paper is due on Friday, September 19. The general scope of the assignment is explained in the syllabus, but full details on the assignment are now online. Simply go to the syllabus and scroll down to the section about the reaction papers. There you’ll find a link to the full guidelines (in PDF format). Or you can jump straight to the PDF from here.

Research 101: Library skills tutorial

The UF Libraries and the Center for Instructional Technology and Training have produced an interactive, web-based tutorial called Research 101. The tutorial focuses on library research skills that you’ll need to do well on the writing assignments for this course. From the tutorial website:

Research 101 introduces basic research skills that are essential to every college student, regardless of your interests or degree area. In the tutorials, you will learn how information comes into being, and become knowledgeable about the wide variety of sources that are available for library research today. You will also learn searching techniques to help you quickly identify the best books, articles or web sites, and strategies for evaluating the quality and usability of such sources. You will also learn how to navigate the large UF Libraries system and become acquainted with research assistance services for students.

I encourage you to take time to work through the tutorial. Leave a comment below to let us know what parts of the tutorial are helpful (or not).