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AIS 380
Writing Assignments
Summer 1999
Round One
#1 Statement of Educational/Career Objectives (Due
Class Two)
Using your field of study rationale as a starting
point, briefly explain your educational/career objectives and discuss your progress in
achieving your goals. What are your subfields and your field of study? Focus
on an initial description of a senior project idea or two which interests you and which
will move you toward your goals. When do you plan to do your project? (2-3 pages, double
spaced, typed) Always keep a copy of your assignments and backup computer files. It
is strongly recommended that you have access to a computer or a word-processor. You
may use campus labs by paying a Computer Lab Fee.
#A Disciplinary overview: Consult textbooks
from at least two of your disciplines and an encylopedia to identify their approaches to
research and organization of knowledge. Outline or map major concepts and research
approaches you are considering using. Note sources of tension within or between
disciplines. Due Class Two See Lester 1.3
Bb.) Visit the library and try to find
information on your possible topic(s) in a print index, infotrac, and southcat. Work
toward a concise description of each topic and key subject headings. List your concise
definition, key words, and any problems or successes you have in preparation for Class Two
in the library. This handwritten record will be collected in the library class. Precisely
documenting your problems will help the librarian help you.
#2 Information Resources Annotated Bibliography
Assignment (Due Class Three)
Use Library databases to help you define your project. Experiment with various terms on
some of the available databases, SOUTHCAT. Infotrac, ERIC, etc. Choose at least four
journal articles and two books which relate to your tentative senior project. Locate these
items in the library. Turn in six (6) bibliographic cards (of a convenient size or a
computer printed bibliography) following a style manual. (See Lester section 2b,
4e, Chapters 9 and 10). Include an annotation (note) describing the quality and possible
usefulness of each selected source. Three source annotations should be 100 words apiece.
Refer to Annotated Bibliography handout.
#2 A, Bring a copy of literature reviews from
your journal articles to Class Three
Round Two
#3 Initial Description of Senior Project (Due
Class Four)
Write a tentative (1st draft) description of
your senior project. Focus on why you want to do this project and why you think
it will be useful, interesting, and feasible. Be as specific as
you can about what the project will include. Use your text to outline what
content will be included and what content will be excluded. Don't be concerned with how
you will do it. Make 2 copies - one to hand in and one to edit as the paper is peer
reviewed. (2-3 pages, typed, double spaced) Take assignment #3 or another assignment to
the Writing Center (4606480 for appt.) for evaluation before Class #7.
#3 B: Bring a two copies of at least one
methods sections from a journal article in your growing bibliography to class four.
#4 Research Methodology (Due Class
Five)
Explain how you plan to do the research
necessary for the project you are proposing. What kinds of research will you be doing?
What resources - library, people, organizations - will you use? What resources have you
already found? What questions have been generated by your reading? Will you use a
questionnaire, a survey, etc? What is your plan for collecting information and for
analyzing and using the information you collect. (2-3 pages, typed, double spaced) What
steps do you plan to take to complete your research? Append your typed 8.5 x 11 expanded
working annotated bibliography which includes comments on the quality of the sources.
FOLLOW A BIBLIOGRAPHIC STYLESHEET!
Round Three
#5 Proposal Draft (Class Seven AIS or USABC
Office)
Write a complete draft copy (double
spaced, typed) of the proposal for your senior project. It should include the purpose of
the project, the objectives and how you intend to accomplish the objectives, why you
have chosen this topic, a description of the research method, how you will analyze the
data, resources you will use, and a description of the final form the project will take.
This should be a combination of assignments #3 and #4 (5+ pages). Submit returned,
graded assignments (#3 & #4) with professor's editing and comments with this
assignment.
Attach cover sheet, biographical data, abstract
and any appendices including a timetable and annotated bibliography. Make 2 copies so
you can share your draft with others. Does not need to be signed.
The Final Round
#6 Final copy of Senior Project Proposal
A complete proposal including a cover sheet,
abstract, brief biographical statement, proposal text, time table, annotated bibliography
and other appendices will be due Class Ten. It must be reviewed and signed by your
faculty advisor before you turn it in. A penalty will be assessed for proposals turned in
after the deadline. Submit returned, graded assignments (#3 & #4 & #5) with
professor's editing and comments with this assignment.
Deadline for signed senior project proposals - Class Ten, 5 pm PSPA or USABC
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