Research Paper ?? and HELP!!

grimmy, RN · Mar 30, 2005

i am doing a research paper "should the nursing profession be unionized?" i am not having problems coming up with articles to support my argument. i got 10/40 on the second draft. the reason??
i used to many quotes!!!! i do not want to get in trouble for plagarism. please explain to me what a research paper is. i thought it was a paper showing what other experts thought of the topic i chose. wrong!! she wants me to paraphrase!!
isn't that plagarism? i have all my references documented and cited within the paper. i realize that i am out of the loop [i'm 44] but isn't a research paper where you look up what other people think about the topic and put those thought in quotes for your paper?
right now in this class i have a 72% that is failing!! i can't believe, that i am failing one of the easiest classes and was able to pass med/surg 3!!!

paraphrasing is not plagiarism. it's fine to add a quote to emphasize a point that you make, but you must paraphrase, make the point your's. seems kind of tough to do without seeming redundant, but that's how its done. let's put it another way: ever done a book report? how did you do it without quoting the actual book? same idea, but in shorter bits. the following is just fiction and may be completely wrong.

among the professions only a few have unionized, and among those that have, about 10% of the total possible union members pay dues. according to smith et al., "airline pilots make up the largest union of professionals, but only a fraction pay union dues."

see what i mean? and quoting after every original sentence is unnecessary. when you read your sources, make notes. don't just highlight the important points in an article or book. re-write the quote in your own words. this will help you to formulate your own ideas and ways of emphasizing or elaborating on your sources. good luck.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2005

I suggest you go to your school's library and find their tutor or maybe if they have a language lab. They have many students there to help with just what you are questioning. Utilize your resources and get to them for help, dont wait until the paper is due next monday to find help.

Nesher, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2005

Don't despair! I agree go to the writing lab. By the way when you paraphrase information you still give the author of the information credit!

WashYaHands · Mar 30, 2005

Here is an example of quotation and paraphrasing with cited references:

"Unionization, once a dirty word in the medical world, is spreading" (Eastaugh, 1998, p. 46).

Paraphrased:

Unionization of medical professionals is increasing (Eastaugh, 1998).

Either way you still have to cite a reference unless you are stating your own original idea. The difference is with paraphrasing you are not directly quoting from your source, but you are putting into your words what the source has said.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Linda

mugwump · Mar 30, 2005

Here is an example of quotation and paraphrasing with cited references:
"Unionization, once a dirty word in the medical world, is spreading" (Eastaugh, 1998, p. 46).
Paraphrased:
Unionization of medical professionals is increasing (Eastaugh, 1998).
Either way you still have to cite a reference unless you are stating your own original idea. The difference is with paraphrasing you are not directly quoting from your source, but you are putting into your words what the source has said.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
Linda

correct me if I am wrong I am FAR from an English teacher but what was paraphrased here "unionization of medical professionals is increasing" would not have to be sited because I am sure that is many people thoughts now not just (Eastaugh, 1998) if you read the same thing in a lot of places chances it is more of a accepted practice rather than an idea that has to be quoted. speaking to that I'd check out an English 102 book where you write a research paper and refresh yourself on the paraphrasing and quoting topic

WashYaHands · Mar 30, 2005

Since I paraphrased it from the direct quote that I used as an example, it would have to be cited. But, you're right in that If you use a fact that is common knowledge it would not have to be cited.

z's playa · Mar 30, 2005

Waaay off topic but aren't we uninized already? It seems to be a wierd topic for a paper to me.

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 30, 2005

Your teacher may also want you to make sense of what you found in the literature -- not just repeat it word-for-word. In other words, analyze it a bit ... point out the major trends and how they have changed over time ... point out areas of major agreement and disagreement ... discuss whether or not certain groups within nursing support unionization more than others, etc.

A good research paper demonstrates that the writer understands the literature AND ITS IMPLICATIONS. Merely repeating what others have written is the lowest level of performance on such a project. If all you do is repeat what others have said, you have added nothing to the discussion. As you review your work, ask yourself, "What has my writing added to the discussion of the topic?" If the answer is "nothing," you still have more work to do.

llg

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2005

Again i say go to your schools writing lab, english lab, library and find their tutor. They will know how to show you to paraphrase, and cite according to your schools requirements. There are many ways to cite refernces and when you start mixing forms it gets you in trouble. Go get the help, its free.

allnurses Guide · Mar 30, 2005

What level courses are you taking? Masters or BSN?

In my master's courses, they heavily emphasized finding the literature, and synthesizing it, putting it all together as a whole, represent the different view points. You need your considered opinions thoughtfully laid out, supported by your research, or disagreeing with what you found and why. The lit search you describe is only the beginning, proving you understand what you found and are able to use the data is what they want to see.

Ask your prof if you can resubmit, otherwise ... its only one paper. :balloons:

drdan · Mar 30, 2005

When you write the research paper try to keep in mind what others will think of your paper when they read it.

Too many quotes and cites makes reading an essay/paper feel choppy. It feels like you are almost, coming, to, a, stop, and because of the way it flows reading it can be annoying.

Try to keep your audience in mind. The readers want to be able to understand what you are talking about so try to paraphrase a lot of the quotes or you could spend more time trying to explain what many of your quotes are talking about and try to analyze those quotes using your own words.

Remember, if I'm reading your research paper for the first time and I know nothing about nursing or nursing unions, by the end of your paper I should have a fairly good idea about some of the major issues concerning the topic without having to re-read the entire paper.

You should probably ask a tutor or a friend to read your final draft and tell you what they think before you turn it in. Maybe you could post part of it on this forum and we can help.

Hope that helps a little.