P360: Learning
Fall, 1999
Instructions for Paper
 
One of the requirements for this class is an 10 to 12 page paper. The
paper is worth 100 points. The following guidelines MUST be followed to insure maximum
credit. NOTE: I will read rough drafts and give you feedback. Please allow 3 days for me
to return to paper to you.
Topic:
You are to complete a paper on the topic determined by you and Dr.
Farmer-Dougan. You must have your topic approved prior to turning in your paper, or your
paper will not be accepted.
Your paper may concern any topic in the analysis of learning and behavior. This
means that the paper must be concerned with attempts to discover the laws of behavior
through a learning analysis. In particular, this analysis must involve a) a review of
appropriate scientific literature and 2) an analysis (by you) of how this topic affects
behavior. That is, be sure to tie your topic into learning: How is the phenomenon a
learning situation, how might learning be used to resolve the problem (if applicable),
etc. The following topics would all qualify, but the list is by no means complete.
Basically, if you can convince me it pertains to learning- it does!
Format:
There are a few requirements for the format. These are:
 | Type the paper using standard APA referencing style. This means the papers are
to be double- spaced, with 1-inch margins. This does NOT mean that you will have a method,
result, etc., section. This is a REVIEW paper. If unclear on how to write a review paper,
please see me, the TA or use the Center for Learning Assistance. |
| You are to address the question from both a pro and con position. That is,
answer the question with both a yes, a no, and then draw your own conclusion. |
| Be sure to cite your references. Tell me where you got your information. You
must use the standard APA reference form. |
Content:
The paper MUST contain at the very minimum 8 references. NO MORE than three (3)
of these references are to be books and NO MORE than two (2) websites may be used as
references. Your websites should be academic websites, not commercial or personal sites.
Length:
There is no ABSOLUTE length requirement, although 10 to 12 pages should be
sufficient. No maximum limit has been given, because different people write in different
ways. However, minimum length for a decent paper is about 10 pages.
Due Date:
All papers are due NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, November 23rd by 4:30 p.m..
Late papers will have 5 points subtracted for every day they are late.
Grading Criteria:
The following are the criteria I will use to grade the paper. Please note each
of these criteria and see that your paper conforms to each.
| The paper is honest- it is not plagiarized; and though it may draw on the ideas
of others, the combination and treatment of those ideas are the original work of the
author. |
| The paper is neat in appearance: Typing is carefully done with good, black
ribbon on 8 ½ x 11 bond (not onionskin); standard margins; proofread for errors. |
| The paper is of the minimum (8 to 10) page required length. |
| The paper conforms to the recommended APA format for references and citations. |
| The paper uses appropriate kind and number of sources. |
| The paper uses language that is correct (punctuation, grammar, spelling). |
| The paper uses language that is efficient, not wordy. |
| The paper uses language that creates a voice appropriate to the occasion. |
| The topic is well-chosen; the choice reflects a clear grasp of the purpose of
the assignment and a careful process of selection. |
| The paper contains no major errors of fact, interpretation, or omission. |
| The paper is solidly based in academic discourse (e.g., the literature,
lectures, original research), rather than in popular, casual, everyday discourse. |
| The paper has an idea, or conclusion, or thesis that effectively synthesizes the
material it covers. |
| The paper enters the discussion at the appropriate level of generalization. |
| The paper develops its thesis not with listed items or random thoughts, but with
a subthesis structure that is:
 | a. comprehensive investigation/analysis of the subject |
| is a coherent piece of reasoning, linked by logical
transitions. |
| addresses other interpretations where appropriate. |
|
| For each subthesis, the writer furnishes evidence/information that is:
| as specific/concrete as is appropriate |
| as varied in typed as is appropriate |
| as great in quantity as is appropriate |
|
| The development of each subthesis makes a substantial contribution to the
thesis. |
| The paper is paragraphed appropriately. |
| The conclusion is thoughtful, cogent; it contributes more to the paper than a
mere summary. |
| The paper enters the sociological dialogue on the level at which scholars are
working and is an original entry in the ongoing exchange of ideas. |
| The paper is exceptionally well conceived and executed: of all the strategies
for discussion of its subject, the strategy in this paper is among the best for persuading
and informing the reader. |
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