Writing a research paper is creating new scholarship through the process of researching, interpreting and synthesizing existing scholarship. During the process, you will read copious amounts of information, take notes, write an outline, create a bibliography (sometimes annotated), and finally write and revise your paper. This is a lengthy and time-consuming process which might cause you to make the following ill-considered choices:
- Cutting and pasting information from a source into your paper [cheating, stealing, plagiarism];
- Waiting until the last minute to write your paper causeing you to borrow or purchase someone else's paper [poor time management, cheating];
- Using a paper you wrote for another class [academic dishonesty];
- Improperly citing a source, or not citing a source at all [plagiarism].
Each of the above is a violation of the RWU Undergraduate Pledge to Academic Integrity.
Below are some strategies that will help you to research with integrity while maximizing the resources available to you at RWU.
- Understand your research assignment and plan accordingly. Planning is key, so use the Assignment Calculator to create your research schedule.
- Cite everything that isn't "common knowledge," which is best defined as a fact known by the general public. A good example of common knowledge would be that George Washington was the first President of the United States.
- Learn proper citation format. The "Cite Right" Manual created by the RWU Writing Center is a very useful and helpful tool.
- Obtain a RefWorks account. RefWorks is an online citation manager which will magically streamline the citation process. Contact the Library Reference Department or call (254-3375) for assistance.
- Learn to use reliable, authoritative and scholarly resources. Smart researching begins here!
- Make an appointment for a research consultation with a librarian. We're here to help with library and research anxiety.
- Learn to be an excellent note taker. For each of your sources, keep written documentation, including all citation information, all quotes you might refer to, notes on the source, etc. RefWorks can help with this process.
- Understand when to use quotes and how to paraphrase. Below are links to some excellent sources that will help you understand how to engage in good scholarship, while avoiding unintentional plagiarism:
Helpful Guides & Tutorials on the Web
Remember , you are now a member of a community of scholars! While relying on prior scholarship, "eighty percent of your paper's words should be your own." (Cite Right Manual)! Find your own research voice and use it with integrity. The consequences for plagiarizing can be severe.
