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SES 1301: Foundations of SES

This course guide lays out, step-by-step, how to conduct and write your research paper for SES 1301.

Reading/Notes Timeline

Progress Before Step

12.5%

Progress After Step

67.5%

Introduction

The following is my suggestion when it comes to reading and taking notes for your research paper.

First Things First

Please do the following at the beginning of our class:

  1. Open an article that you want to use in your paper
  2. Open a Word (or equivalent) document on your personal computer. If you are using a library laptop, please create a Google Document or open an email

First Step: Reference List Entry

  1. Create a References section for your paper if you haven't already
  2. Create a properly formatted APA References entry for your resource prior to reading

Example:

References

Caniano, W. T. (2015). Library outreach to university athletic departments and student-athletes. Journal of Library Innovation, 6(2), 89-95.

Second Step: Taking Quotes/Findings while Reading

  1. Write down or copy relevant and/or interesting quotes/findings from your resources
  2. "Wrap those quotes/findings in quotation marks"
  3. Create an in-text citation at the end of the quote

Example:

“Colleges and universities owe student-athletes more than just the opportunity to excel in their sports. They must actively promote and support academic excellence.” (Caniano, 2015, p. 91).

References

Caniano, W. T. (2015). Library outreach to university athletic departments and student-athletes. Journal of Library Innovation, 6(2), 89-95.

Third Step: Take Notes on Quotes/Findings

Below your quote, write down your:

  • thoughts,
  • ideas,
  • opinions,
  • criticisms,
  • context of the quote/finding,
  • and the relevance to your paper.

Example:

“Colleges and universities owe student-athletes more than just the opportunity to excel in their sports. They must actively promote and support academic excellence.” (Caniano, 2015, p. 91).

An often-heard complaint from non-Athlete academics is that Universities allow athletes to solely focus on sports, allowing them to languish academically. Essentially, "Who cares about academics? Allow the athlete to make grade so they are eligible to play. However, we must not allow this to happen.

References

Caniano, W. T. (2015). Library outreach to university athletic departments and student-athletes. Journal of Library Innovation, 6(2), 89-95.

Fourth Step: Create a Heading for your Quote/Finding

Create brief subject-related heading that describes the content of the quote.

Example:

Purpose and Problem

“Colleges and universities owe student-athletes more than just the opportunity to excel in their sports. They must actively promote and support academic excellence.” (Caniano, 2015, p. 91).

An often-heard complaint from non-Athlete academics is that Universities allow athletes to solely focus on sports, allowing them to languish academically. Essentially, "Who cares about academics? Allow the athlete to make grade so they are eligible to play." However, we must prevent this from happening and make these students academically successful.

References

Caniano, W. T. (2015). Library outreach to university athletic departments and student-athletes. Journal of Library Innovation, 6(2), 89-95.

Step 1-4 Review: Benefits of Note Taking

Step One
Creating your reference list entry first makes writing the References section easier at the end
Step Two
Taking and wrapping quotes/findings within quotation marks while you read reduces the chances of plagiarism as you are separating your thoughts from your sources.
Step Three
Writing your thoughts, opinions, etc. while reading helps prevent plagiarism by separating your thoughts from the author's. Additionally, your notes will aid you in writing your paper as your thoughts have been written down already and all you'll need to do is make the flow work.
Step Four
Assigning headings will make integrating your sources into your paper easier.