Explain and evaluate internet sources as appropriate for accurate, timely, and academic information.

So…why DO we write and read research papers? Well, for some of us, it is an important of our professions: in the medical field, this is the way that new discoveries and techniques are disseminated to others, by writing and publishing papers-by this, a doctor in Switzerland can learn, for instance, a new cancer-treating strategy developed by a doctor in NYC. In my field, researching and publishing not only can lead to tenure but also contributes to enriching other curious scholars-simply put, I do not have enough time in a week to read and interpret and analyze everything I would like, and reading the research of some great literary minds adds to my own knowledge base and intellectual growth.

If you ever have typed in a word or phrase on Google or consulted a dictionary or encyclopedia, even Wikipedia, if you ever even just asked a question to a parent or teacher or coach seeking to augment what you know and to answer what you do not, you have engaged in research! In college, it just takes a very specific form, the MLA (APA in some disciplines) research paper.

Being able to conduct proper research is also part of the discipline of learning, of critical thinking. In our department, we state that a student’s research work will be measure by his/her ability to:

a. Develop effective search strategies, including using key words and electronic sources as well as traditional texts for information

b. Explain and evaluate internet sources as appropriate for accurate, timely, and academic information.

c. Use sources to support and develop claims and assertions by quoting, paraphrasing

and/or summarizing accurately and appropriately

d. Cite sources properly using the MLA citation style, including in-text or parenthetical

citation and a Works Cited page

To pass, the paper must meet EVERY standard set by MLA (the Modern Language Association, a boring group of people, yes, but they know their stuff!). I am talking about how to format the heading, the page numbering, the margins, line spacing, block quotations, the Works Cited page, everything. This is a college-level paper and should be perfect in every aspect. Professors will downgrade papers and even fail them if that paper does not meet MLA specs, and they are within their rights to do so.

Topic: a career in which you are interested

Format: MLA, 3 pages minimum, including the Works Cited Page. Typed, double spaced, one-inch margins…there is a sample paper beginning on the Purdue OWL which demonstrates all of this-very simply, your paper will look just like that one, and I do mean EXACTLY (not the content, of course!)-heading, spacing, citations, etc.-no other format is acceptable. The majority of your college classes require a research paper, most are MLA format, and it is my job to ensure that you do this right.

A simple-yet-effective way to organize this paper is around answering these core questions:

-what education and/or training is needed?

-are there jobs available in this career?

-where are the jobs located?

-hcixow much do they pay?

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