APA CITATION & STYLE GUIDE Many Fisher College professors require the APA style for papers. Check with your professor about which format he or she expects you to use. APA FORMATTING: Purdue OWL provides guidelines for papers using APA style, https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ Microsoft Word offers APA templates. Open Microsoft Word. Select “New.” In the search box at the top of the screen type “APA.” A couple of templates will appear. Choose one. The format of the paper usually includes the following components in this order: Title page (p.1) Abstract (p.2) Introduction (p.3) (beginning of text) Method Results Discussion References (after the last page of the text) 1 CITING MATERIALS WITH PROPER NOUNS IN APA When citing materials in APA that have a proper noun that is not the first word, it will be capitalized (ex. Spain, Prada, Toyota). Liker, J.K. (2004). The Toyota way. New York: McGraw Hill. For more information on plagiarism, visit Fisher College’s publication: Plagiarism: a guidebook on responsible source citation. http://s3.amazonaws.com/MagicHour/Fisher/Uploads/ByDate/2013/ June_2013/June_24th_2013/plagiarism92229.pdf Remember to keep track of where you are getting your material. If you use someone else’s idea, even if it is not a direct quote (paraphrased), you need to give credit to the author(s). Most Common APA Citation Components: Author(s) Editor(s) Title (article, book, chapter, journal, etc.) Date (published or created) Publisher Edition Location of Publisher Page Number(s) Date Accessed (online) 2 APA IN-TEXT CITATIONS Whenever you cite a book, magazine, scholarly journal, or other source within the body of your paper, the In-Text citation will reflect your References page. Purdue OWL provides guidelines for In-Text citations using APA style: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/ The following is an example of an In-Text citation with a known author: “A company spokesman used the wheel-and-spokes concept that placed Martha at the center of the action” (Byron, 2002, p. 200). According to Byron, (2002), “A company spokesman used the wheel-and-spokes concept that placed Martha at the center of the action” (p. 200). The following is an example of an In-Text citation without a known author: “Her brand may be tarnished, but her empire grossed more than $221 million last year” (“Meltdown for Ratings,” 2012). APA IN-TEXT CITATION -- PARAPHRASING When Andy Warhol walked into the kitchen, he grabbed a can of Campbell’s soup from the pantry shelf (Matterson, 1981). 3 References: The last component of your paper that includes sources that you used APA REFERENCES EXAMPLES CITING A SOURCE FROM AN ONLINE DATABASE USING APA STRUCTURE: Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date of publication). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume number (issue), page range. Retrieved from http://databasewe.

1. APA CITATION &
STYLE GUIDE
Many Fisher College professors require the APA style for
papers. Check
with your professor about which format he or she expects you to
use.
APA FORMATTING:
Purdue OWL provides guidelines for papers using APA style,
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
Microsoft Word offers APA templates. Open Microsoft
Word. Select “New.” In the search box at the top of
the screen type “APA.” A couple of templates
will appear. Choose one.
The format of the paper usually includes the following
components in this order:
Title page (p.1)
Abstract (p.2)
Introduction (p.3) (beginning of text)
Method
Results

2. Discussion
References (after the last page of the text)
1
CITING MATERIALS WITH PROPER NOUNS IN APA
When citing materials in APA that have a proper noun that is
not the first word, it will be capitalized (ex. Spain, Prada,
Toyota).
Liker, J.K. (2004). The Toyota way. New York: McGraw Hill.
For more information on plagiarism, visit Fisher College’s
publication: Plagiarism: a guidebook on responsible source
citation.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/MagicHour/Fisher/Uploads/ByDate/20
13/
June_2013/June_24th_2013/plagiarism92229.pdf
Remember to keep track of where you are getting your material.
If you use someone else’s idea, even if it is not a direct quote
(paraphrased), you need to give credit to the author(s).
Most Common APA Citation Components:
Author(s)
Editor(s)
Title (article, book, chapter, journal, etc.)
Date (published or created)
Publisher

3. Edition
Location of Publisher
Page Number(s)
Date Accessed (online)
2
APA IN-TEXT CITATIONS
Whenever you cite a book, magazine, scholarly journal, or other
source within the body of your paper, the In-Text citation will
reflect your References page.
Purdue OWL provides guidelines for In-Text citations using
APA style:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/
The following is an example of an In-Text citation with a
known
author:
“A company spokesman used the wheel-and-spokes concept that
placed Martha at the center of the action” (Byron, 2002, p. 200).
According to Byron, (2002), “A company spokesman used the
wheel-and-spokes concept that placed Martha at the center of
the
action” (p. 200).
The following is an example of an In-Text citation without a

4. known author:
“Her brand may be tarnished, but her empire grossed more than
$221 million last year” (“Meltdown for Ratings,” 2012).
APA IN-TEXT CITATION -- PARAPHRASING
When Andy Warhol walked into the kitchen, he grabbed a can
of Campbell’s soup from the pantry shelf (Matterson, 1981).
3
References: The last component of your paper that includes
sources that
you used
APA REFERENCES EXAMPLES
CITING A SOURCE FROM AN ONLINE DATABASE
USING APA
STRUCTURE:
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date of publication). Title of
article. Title of Journal, volume number (issue), page range.
Retrieved from http://databaseweblink
EXAMPLE:
Callan, M. & Schwartz, J.S. (2018). Regional drought in rural
Nebraska. Western Ecology, 8(2), 18-21. Retrieved from
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&Au

5. thType=ip,cpid&custid=s5072344&d
b=a9h&AN=11858055&site=ehost-live
4
NO NEED FOR URL WHEN CITING PRINT JOURNALS
Notice!!! After the first line of a citation, indent one “Tab” for
each additional line.
Creating a “hanging indent” in Microsoft Word accomplishes
the same outcome. For instructions on how to do that, see
Microsoft’s detailed instructions here:
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Create-a-hanging-in-
dent-7bdfb86a-c714-41a8-ac7a-3782a91ccad5.
*Online databases include: Academic Search Ultimate,
Business Source Complete, Communication Source, Academic
OneFile, ProQuest Central, and others available through the
Fisher College Library website, Boston Public Library, and
other library websites.
Remember that most databases provide an auto citation tool. If
you
use one of these, make sure to double-check the style for
accuracy.
5
CITING A WEBSITE USING APA

6. STRUCTURE:
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date of publication). Title of
document. Retrieved from http://web address
EXAMPLE:
Jones, R.T., & Smith, P.T. (2017, November 21). The humane
treatment of free-range chickens. Retrieved from
http://www.peta.org/chickens
Notice!!! After the first line of a citation, indent one “Tab” for
each additional line.
Creating a “hanging indent” in Microsoft Word accomplishes
the same
outcome. For instructions on how to do that, see Microsoft’s
detailed
instructions here:
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Create-a-hanging-
indent-7bdfb86a-c714-
41a8-ac7a-3782a91ccad5.
6
CITING A BOOK USING APA
STRUCTURE:
Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work: Capital

7. letter
also for subtitle. Location: Publisher.
EXAMPLE:
Byron, C.M. (2002). Martha gets out: The incredible story of
her comeback. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Notice!!! After the first line of a citation, indent one “Tab” for
each additional line.
Creating a “hanging indent” in Microsoft Word accomplishes
the same
outcome. For instructions on how to do that, see Microsoft’s
detailed
instructions here:
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Create-a-hanging-
indent-7bdfb86a-c714-
41a8-ac7a-3782a91ccad5.
7
CITING A MAGAZINE USING APA
STRUCTURE:
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year, Month
Date). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume number(issue
number), pages.

8. EXAMPLE:
Case, J.K., Brown, T.R., & Palmer, O.W. (2014, October 30).
Possibilities for the future. The Economist, 7(19), 32-41.
Notice!!! After the first line of a citation, indent one “Tab” for
each additional line.
Creating a “hanging indent” in Microsoft Word accomplishes
the same
outcome. For instructions on how to do that, see Microsoft’s
detailed
instructions here:
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Create-a-hanging-
indent-7bdfb86a-c714-
41a8-ac7a-3782a91ccad5.
8
CITING A NEWSPAPER USING APA
STRUCTURE:
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year, Month
Date). Title of article. Title of Periodical, pages.
EXAMPLE:
Barker, L. (2003, June 12). Senior living facility creates jobs in
city center. International Herald Tribune, pp. B3, B8.

9. If the article appears on a single page, use only one p.
Notice!!! After the first line of a citation, indent one “Tab” for
each additional line.
Creating a “hanging indent” in Microsoft Word accomplishes
the same
outcome. For instructions on how to do that, see Microsoft’s
detailed
instructions here:
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Create-a-hanging-
indent-7bdfb86a-c714-
41a8-ac7a-3782a91ccad5.
9
CITING A FILM USING APA
STRUCTURE:
Producer, P. P. (Producer), & Director, D. D. (Director). (Date
of
publication). Title of motion picture [Motion picture].
Country of origin: Studio or distributor.
EXAMPLE:
Jaffe, S.R. (Producer), & Benton, R. (Director). (1979). Kramer
vs. Kramer [Motion picture]. United States:
Columbia Pictures.

10. Notice!!! After the first line of a citation, indent one “Tab” for
each additional line.
Creating a “hanging indent” in Microsoft Word accomplishes
the same
outcome. For instructions on how to do that, see Microsoft’s
detailed
instructions here:
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Create-a-hanging-
indent-7bdfb86a-c714-
41a8-ac7a-3782a91ccad5.
10
CITING A CHAPTER OR WORK IN AN ANTHOLOGY
USING APA
STRUCTURE:
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year of publication). Title of
chapter. In A. A. Editor & B. B. Editor (Eds.), Title of book
(pages of chapter). Location: Publisher.
EXAMPLE:
Alexie, S. (2015). The joy of reading and writing: Superman
and
me. In D. McQuade & R. Atwan (Eds.), The writer’s
presence: A pool of readings (pp. 34-37). Boston:

11. Bedford/St. Martin’s.
Notice!!! After the first line of a citation, indent one “Tab” for
each additional line.
Creating a “hanging indent” in Microsoft Word accomplishes
the same
outcome. For instructions on how to do that, see Microsoft’s
detailed
instructions here:
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Create-a-hanging-
indent-7bdfb86a-c714-
41a8-ac7a-3782a91ccad5.
11
CITING AN IMAGE (DRAWING, PAINTING, PHOTO-
GRAPH, ETC.) FROM A PRINT BOOK USING APA
STRUCTURE:
Last Name, First & Middle Initials (Image creator). (Date work
created). Work Title. [Format]. Name of Individual
or Institution That Owns Work, Location. Book Title. By
Author Name. City, State: Publisher. Page Number.
EXAMPLE:
Van Gogh, V. (1889). Wheatfield and Cypresses. [Painting].

12. National Gallery, London. Van Gogh. By Jean Leymarie.
New York, New York: Crown Publishing, 1987. 157.
Notice!!! After the first line of a citation, indent one “Tab” for
each additional line.
Creating a “hanging indent” in Microsoft Word accomplishes
the same
outcome. For instructions on how to do that, see Microsoft’s
detailed
instructions here:
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Create-a-hanging-
indent-7bdfb86a-c714-
41a8-ac7a-3782a91ccad5.
12
CITING AN IMAGE (DRAWING, PAINTING, PHOTO-
GRAPH, ETC.) FROM A WEBSITE USING APA
STRUCTURE:
Last Name, First & Middle Initials (image creator). (Date Creat-
ed). Work Title [Format]. Name of Individual of
Institution That Owns Work, Location. Retrieved
from Web Site URL
EXAMPLE:
Van Gogh, V. (1889). Wheat Field with Cypresses [Painting].

13. Metro
politan Museum of Art, New York. Retrieved from
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/4365
35
Notice!!! After the first line of a citation, indent one “Tab” for
each additional line.
Creating a “hanging indent” in Microsoft Word accomplishes
the same
outcome. For instructions on how to do that, see Microsoft’s
detailed
instructions here:
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Create-a-hanging-
indent-7bdfb86a-c714-
41a8-ac7a-3782a91ccad5.
Citing something not listed here?
Follow this link to the Purdue OWL APA guide:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/05/
13
NOTES:
14
15

14. Category
15 points
11 points
7 points
3 points
Points for section
Topics and research question
· You select a high-quality topic from the book.
· You develop a quality sociological research question.
· Your research question is short, clear, and to the point.
· Your research question is bolded centered and typed at the top
of your paper.
· You develop a satisfactory research question.
· Your research question is not as clear or concise as possible
· You select a poor topic from the book
· You develop a minimally adequate research question
· Your research question is not written clearly and/or is
confusing or awkward
· Your research question is stated but is not bolded and/or it is
not at the top of the paper
· Your topic is not sociological and/or is not from our book
· You never state a clear or intentional research question
· Your research question is uninterpretable
The use of scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles
· You use a minimum of 4 journal articles
· All 4 of your journal articles are from peer-reviewed journals
· All 4 of your articles are from the Fisher College library
databases
· All 4 of your articles are used and cited in the text of the
paper
· All 4 of your articles are included in the reference page
· 1 of your articles is academic in nature but not peer-reviewed

15. · 1 of your articles was obtained from a source other than the
Fisher College Library databases
· 1 of your articles is not cited in the text of the paper
· 2 of your sources are academic in nature but not peer-reviewed
· 2 of your sources were obtained from a source other than the
Fisher College Library databases
· 2 of your sources were not cited in the text of the paper
· All but one of your articles cited in text are included in the
reference page
· You use 3 or fewer journal articles
· 3 or more of your sources are academic in nature but not peer-
reviewed
· 3 or more of your sources were obtained from a source other
than the Fisher College Library databases
· 3 or more of your sources were not cited in the text of the
paper
· All but two of your articles listed in the reference page are
cited in text are
Points for this section X3
Quality of writing
· High-quality writing
· Few if any spelling mistakes per page
· Few if any grammar mistakes per page
· Proper sentence structure
· Proper paragraph structure and proper use of paraphs
· The paper is easy to read
· All points are clear
· Average quality of writing
· Several spelling mistakes per page
· Several grammar mistakes per page
· Some sentence structure issues
· Paragraphs are used regularly, weaknesses are present
· Some points need clarification
· Some parts of the paper are confusing

16. · Overall the main points are apparent
· Most of the paper was relatively easy to read
· Slightly below average quality of writing
· many spelling mistakes per page
· many grammar mistakes per page
· Sentence structure issues are fairly common
· Paragraphs are occasionally used
· Paragraph use is fairly ineffective
· Many points are hard to follow and need clarifying
· Parts of this paper are not very readable
· Below college-level writing is apparent.
· Numerous spelling mistakes per page
· Numerous grammar mistakes per page
· A total or significant lack of paragraph use
· Most points are hard to follow and need clarifying
· Much or most of this paper is not readable
Points for this section X2
APA and citations
· All direct quotes are cited in text correctly in APA
· All paraphrasing is cited correctly in APA
· The last page of the paper is an accurate reference age in APA
that is nearly perfect
· The sources cited in the text matches the sources listed in the
reference page and vice versa
· All articles in the APA reference page are correctly cited in
the text of the paper
· All direct quotes are cited in APA however, some mistakes are
made
· All paraphrasing is cited in APA, however, some mistakes are
made.
· Your APA reference page has some mistakes, but it is
effective
· All direct quotes are cited in text in APA, however,
multiple/serious mistakes are made
· All paraphrasing is cited in APA, however, multiple/serious

17. mistakes are made.
· One source cited in the text does not match the sources listed
in the reference page and vice versa
· Your APA reference page has many mistakes but is generally
comprehendible
· One or more direct quotes is not cited in the text
· If paraphrasing is not cited in the text
· If in-text citing is attempted but it is ineffective or if it does
not resemble a reasonable attempt at APA
· Two or more sources cited in the text do not match the sources
listed in the reference page and vice versa
Points for this section X2
Answering your research question
· Everything you write is clearly focused on answering your
research question
· Your quotes clearly and directly relate to the answer to your
research question
· You explain how your quotes specifically answer your
research question
· Your paraphrasing clearly and directly relates to the answer to
your research question
· You explain how your paraphrasing specifically answers your
research question
· Your analytical voice is consistently present when answering
your research question
· Most of what you write is clearly focused on answering your
research question
· Your quotes generally answer your research question
· You provide a basic explanation of how your quotes answer
your research question
· Your paraphrasing generally answers your research question
· You provide a basic explanation of how your paraphrasing
answers your research question
· You introduce your analytical voice or rely on phrasing such
as, “this answers my research question…”
· Some of what you write is and some of what you write is not

18. clearly focused on answering your research question
· Some of our quotes answer your research question and some
do not
· The explanation of how your quotes answer your research
question is ineffective or not included
· The explanation of how your paraphrasing answer your
research question is ineffective or not included
· Your analytical voice is weak
· Most of what you write does not effectively answer your
research question
· Your quotes do not effectively answer your research question
· Your paraphrasing does not effectively answer your research
questions
· You do not attempt an explanation of how your quotes answer
your research question
· You do not attempt an explanation of how your paraphrasing
answer your research question
· You do not attempt the use of your analytical voice
Points for this section X3
Formatting
· Proper paragraphs are used
· The same font is used throughout the entire paper
· A “traditional” font such as 12pt Times New Roman or 10pt
Arial is used throughout the entire paper
· The paper is double-spaced
· One-inch margins are used on all sides
· Proper paragraphs are used
· The same font is used throughout the entire paper
· A professional looking but non-traditional font is used
throughout the entire paper
· The paper is double-spaced
· One-inch margins are used on all sides
· Proper paragraphs are not used
· The same font is not used throughout the entire paper
· An irregular font is used throughout the paper

19. · The paper is not double-spaced
· All sides do not have one-inch margins
· The paper is one long paragraph or an undefined “blob” of
words
· Multiple fonts are used throughout the paper
· A very irregular font is used throughout the paper.
· The entire paper is single spaced
· Effective margins are not set
Points for this section
Paper length
· 1,400 or more words
· 1,300 – 1,399 words
· 1,100 – 1,299 words
· 1,099 – 801 words
Points for this section
Category
15 points
1
1
points
7
points
3
points

20. Points for
section
Topics and research
question
·
You select a high
-
quality topic from the
book.
·
You develop a quality sociological
research question.
·
Your research question is short
,
clear
,
and to the point.
·
Your research question is bolded
centered and typed at the top of your
paper.
·

21. You develop a
satisfactory
research question.
·
Your research question is not as
clear or concise as possible
·
You select a poor topic from the
book
·
You develop a minimally
adequate research qu
estion
·
Your research question is not
written clearly and/or is
confusing or awkward
·
Your research question is stated
but is not bolded and/or it is not
at the top of the paper
·

22. Your topic is not sociological
and/or is not from ou
r
book
·
You never state a
clear or
intentional research
question
·
Your research question is
uninterpretable
The use of scholarly
peer
-
reviewed
journal
articles
·
You use a minimum of 4 journal articles
·
All 4 of your journal articles are from
peer
-

23. reviewed
journals
·
All 4 of your articles are from the Fisher
College library databases
·
All 4 of your articles are used and cited
in the text of the paper
·
All 4 of your articles are included in the
reference pag
e
·
1 of your
articles
is academic in
nature
but
not
peer
-
reviewed

24. ·
1 of your
articles
was obtained
from a source other than the
Fisher College Library databases
·
1 of your
articles
is not cited in
the text of the pap
er
·
2
of your sources
are
academic
in nature
b
ut not
peer
-
reviewed
·

25. 2
of your sources
were
obtained
from a source other than the
Fisher College Library databases
·
2
of your sources
were
not cited
in the text of the paper
·
All
but one
of your articles
cited
in
text
are included in the
reference page
·
You use

26. 3
or fewer journal
articles
·
3 or more
of your
sources
are academic in nature but
not
peer
-
reviewed
·
3 or more
of your sources
were obtained from a
source other than the Fisher
College Library databases
·
3 or more
of your sources
were not cited in the text of
the paper
·

27. All but two of your articl
es
listed in the reference page
are
cited in
text
are
Points for this
section X3
Category 15 points 11 points 7 points 3 points Points for
section
Topics and research
question
-quality topic from the
book.
research question.
and to the point.
Your research question is bolded
centered and typed at the top of your
paper.
research question.
clear or concise as possible
book
op a minimally

28. adequate research question
written clearly and/or is
confusing or awkward
but is not bolded and/or it is not
at the top of the paper
al
and/or is not from our book
intentional research
question
uninterpretable
The use of scholarly
peer-reviewed journal
articles
your journal articles are from
peer-reviewed journals
College library databases
in the text of the paper
reference page
nature but not peer-reviewed
from a source other than the
Fisher College Library databases
the text of the paper
ces are academic

29. in nature but not peer-reviewed
from a source other than the
Fisher College Library databases
in the text of the paper
in text are included in the
reference page
articles
are academic in nature but
not peer-reviewed
were obtained from a
source other than the Fisher
College Library databases
were not cited in the text of
the paper
listed in the reference page
are cited in text are
Points for this
section X3
Fisher CollegeSO101 Intro to SociologySpring 2019Dr. Peter
CassinoResearch PaperDue: Thursday 3/7 at 9:30 AM in
Blackboard (Word docs only)
Directions: You are to write a 1,400-word research paper
(minimum) that adheres to the steps and guidance below.
1. Select any topic from your book
2. You are to develop a research question based on your topic.
3. Your research question must be as clear as possible and must

30. be stated in one short sentence. You must type your research
question centered and bolded at the top of your paper before
your opening paragraph.
4. Use the Library’s online databases to find a minimum of 4
scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles that provide
information that you will use to write a detailed, developed, and
sociological answer to your research question.
5. You must use in-text citations in the APA style.
6. The last page (this is not part of your word count) must be a
work cited page in the APA style.
The overall goal of this paper is for you to convince the reader
that your sources provide a sociological answer to your research
question.
Some notes on grading
1. Constantly remind the reader why/how the information from
the scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles answers your
research question. Feel free to write things such as: “this
answers my research question because…” throughout the entire
paper.
2. Avoid: “…blah, blah, blah…boring summary of the material
from your journal articles …blah, blah, blah…there are no
statements here that answer my research question…”The
following will lead to an automatic F
1. Writing 800 or fewer words.
2. Not including any in-text citations.
3. Not including a reference list.
Fisher College
SO101
Intro to Sociology
Spring 2019

31. Dr. Peter Cassino
Research Paper
Due
:
Thursday 3/7
at
9:30 AM
in
Blackboard
(Word docs only)
D
irections
: You are to write a
1,400
-
word
research paper
(minimum)
that adheres to the steps and
guidance below.
1.
Select any topic from your book

32. 2.
You are to
develop a research question
based on
your
topic.
3.
Your
research question
must be as clear as possible and must be stated in
one short sentence
.
You must type y
our
research question
centered and bolded at the top of your paper before
your opening paragraph.
4.
Use the
Library’s online databases
to find a
minimum

33. of 4
scholarly
peer
-
reviewed
journal
articles
that
provide
information that you will use to write a
detailed
,
developed
,
and
sociological
answer to your research question
.
5.
You must use
in
-
text
citations
in
the
APA style
.

34. 6.
The last page (this is not part of your
word
count) must be a work cited page in the APA style.
The overall goal of this paper is for you to convince
the reader
that your sources
provide a
sociological answer to your research question.
Some notes on grading
1.
C
onstantly remind the
reader why/how the information from the
scholarly
peer
-
reviewed
journal articles
answers your research question
. Feel free to write things such
as: “this
answers my research question
because

35. …” throughout the entire paper.
2.
A
void
: “…blah,
blah, blah…boring summary of the material from your journal
articles
…blah, blah, blah…there are no statements here that
answer
my research question
…”
The following will lead to an automatic F
1.
Writing
800 or fewer words
.
2.
Not including any in
-
text citation
s
.
3.
Not including a reference list.

36. Fisher College
SO101 Intro to Sociology
Spring 2019
Dr. Peter Cassino
Research Paper
Due: Thursday 3/7 at 9:30 AM in Blackboard (Word docs only)
Directions: You are to write a 1,400-word research paper
(minimum) that adheres to the steps and
guidance below.
1. Select any topic from your book
2. You are to develop a research question based on your topic.
3. Your research question must be as clear as possible and must
be stated in one short sentence.
You must type your research question centered and bolded at
the top of your paper before
your opening paragraph.
4. Use the Library’s online databases to find a minimum of 4
scholarly peer-reviewed journal
articles that provide information that you will use to write a
detailed, developed, and
sociological answer to your research question.
5. You must use in-text citations in the APA style.
6. The last page (this is not part of your word count) must be a
work cited page in the APA style.
The overall goal of this paper is for you to convince the reader
that your sources provide a
sociological answer to your research question.
Some notes on grading
1. Constantly remind the reader why/how the information from

37. the scholarly peer-
reviewed journal articles answers your research question. Feel
free to write things such
as: “this answers my research question because…” throughout
the entire paper.
2. Avoid: “…blah, blah, blah…boring summary of the material
from your journal articles
…blah, blah, blah…there are no statements here that answer my
research question…”
The following will lead to an automatic F
1. Writing 800 or fewer words.
2. Not including any in-text citations.
3. Not including a reference list.