Term Paper Guidelines
 

One term paper is due and will comprise 18% of your total grade (please see calendar for due date). The topic of the paper is to be some pseudoscientific topic of your choice different from your group report topic. You must notify me of your choice in writing, including the title of your topic plus a one-paragraph abstract, by no later than one month before the due date. The topic can be any of those on listed on the discussion group handout, a topic from any of the textbooks, or a topic found through your own research and interest. All topics must be approved through the instructor.

The paper must present both the pros and the cons of the topic, analyze the relative merits of the arguments, and draw some conclusion. "The conclusion will be left to the reader" is not acceptable. Please do not feel that your conclusion has to align with the views of the instructor - your paper will be judged on how well you assembly all relevant evidence, how clearly it is presented, and that your analysis is logical and well constructed.

Your textbook by Hines is a valuable resource, in the back of his book there is an extensive list of references for a great number of possible topics, and many are in our library. Be sure to read what Hines has to say on the topic before you begin as well.

·            The paper must be at least 1500 words, typed. Count a page or two to be sure- papers under this limit will be disqualified and receive a Zero.

·            There must be a minimum of 4 references with at least one book (the texts don't count but may also be cited). Please have at least one reference for each side of the topic.

·            You must use some recent references. The Skeptical Inquirer is in our library and is usually a good source. The Web may be used only as additional references. Good start:  http://skepdic.com/

·            You must include a bibliography in standard format. (The bibliography does not count towards the 1500 word minimum.)

·            When you use a specific source in the body of your paper, you should cite that reference[Jones] at that point[1] in the text².

·            It is acceptable to use direct quotations, but they should be clearly indicated and not make up more the 150 words worth (10%) of your 1500 minimum total.

·            It is extremely important never to use the exact words (or trivially rearranged words) from any source without attribution. To do so is plagiarism, and is considered a serious form of academic dishonesty. Marilyn vos Savant gives the following advice: "Never take material from an open book unless you copy it word for word and give the author credit. If you write from a closed book, however, it's probably all right. That's learning."

       Of Course use turnitin.com to turn in your term paper.

[1]    or like this

2      or this, where the numbers are in the bibliography identifying the reference.