You will be turning in your paper by uploading it to Turnitin on Blackboard, which will be found in the Research Paper tab. While Turnitin accepts most formats, you may have to change your paper into a pdf file to upload. There will be a 15% deduction for each day your paper is late. Late count starts the minute after the due time/date. Do not wait until the last minute. Finish early so you don’t have to worry, as I will not allow any excuses for late work. For example, if your were just about to submit your paper and your computer freezes, or the internet goes out, and you have to run to the library in the hail and snow barefoot to get your paper turned in, but it is 12:01am, your paper will be late. CITATION EXAMPLES: Within text: Preferred resources are those that are disproportionately selected relative to their abundance in the habitat (Marshall & Wrangham, 2007). If you have more than two authors list the first author followed by et al. (Marshal et al. 2007). In Bibliography: Marshall, A.J. & R.W. Wrangham. 2007 Evolutionary consequences of fallback foods. International Journal of Primatology 28:1219-1235.
This assignment’s purpose is to be able to research a topic further than just googling; to be able to academically reserach. The sources you use need to be academic. What I mean by academic is that they should be peer-reviewed academic journals (see below). Further, your formating should be exactly what I am asking for.
First and foremost, you will be heavily graded on whether or not your sources are academic in nature. For each non-academic source I will deduct up to 30% off your grade. Since you need three sources, you stand to fail this assignment rather quickly if you don’t have the correct sources.
What are acceptable sources? All fields in science have peer reviewed publications, usually in the form of journals. This is how research and conclusions are presented. Peer reviewed means they have gone through a rigorous process and any conclusions presented have to include what methods were used as well as background and analysis. The supplemental reading I have provided in class has all been from such sources.
Here are a few examples in the Anthropology world
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
American Journal of Primatology
And this will give you possible links to all anthropology journals.
You are more than welcome to bring in publications from other disciplines.
Common misconceptions of acceptable sources: 1. It ends in a .edu. This does not make it an academic source. I suggest you look at who wrote whatever you are reading and see if they have published. 2. The Smithsonian, National Geographic are also not allowed. Again, look at who wrote the article or whose research they are referencing.
In-text citation: This is a concept that eludes most people. If you are using an idea that is not common knowledge you need to provide a in-text citation (see style guide and assignment). When you are paraphrasing one of your sources, you need to cite. When you quote, you need to cite. When in doubt, cite. Not citing is called plagiarism.
Frequently asked questions about sources:
Once I have my academic sources can I use other non-academic ones? – Yes you may, but do not lean too much on them for the content of your paper or your grade will suffer.
Can I use our text-book, or lecture notes? – Yes, but same as above, do not make them your primary sources.
How about if I find an academic book? – This is a gray area. Some books are acceptable, some are not. You can email me with the book information if you want to double and make sure it’s a valid source.
Citing and quoting: Your paper should be in your own words (remember to still cite). You are welcome to use quotes, but do NOT make your paper quote heavy. Your paper should not be a bunch of quotes tied together.
