0% on my research paper

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I am so frustrated! I spent days writing an 8 page research paper with 20 sources for my nursing research class. I ended up getting a zero on the paper. This doesn't seem right since I spent so much time on the paper. I called the professor about it and apparently my paper was convoluted and I had some APA format errors. This still doesn't seem like a legitimate reason to give me a zero. Have any of you ever heard of a situation like this?

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

yes.

What advice did the professor give you to correct issues?

Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

Yes. If your paper did not flow, did not follow format correctly, or strayed from topic numerous times even if teacher told you exactly HOW to write it, the mere act of writing the paper does not justify you getting a single point. You must show that you can write a paper correctly, following directions. The only issue I have with this is two things:

1. did you show it to anyone to have them proofread?

2. Did you research any APA format from the Web?

If not, then you didn't do enough work in my opinion. Also, 20 sources seems a bit excessive. Didn't you have enough sources to cite and blend your own ideas in with those topics?

Just my .02 cents.

Yes. If your paper did not flow, did not follow format correctly, or strayed from topic numerous times even if teacher told you exactly HOW to write it, the mere act of writing the paper does not justify you getting a single point. You must show that you can write a paper correctly, following directions. The only issue I have with this is two things:

1. did you show it to anyone to have them proofread?

2. Did you research any APA format from the Web?

If not, then you didn't do enough work in my opinion. Also, 20 sources seems a bit excessive. Didn't you have enough sources to cite and blend your own ideas in with those topics?

Just my .02 cents.

I agree that 20 sources seems excessive. When I had to write my research paper last semester we had to have at least 10 but I know I had many more than that.

A huge portion of points goes to "did you follow directions". Meaning using the right format, citing sources correctly, etc. Also, it helps if you pick a topic that you are deeply concerned or interested in. You write more passionately and are more apt to go out there and get great sources.

Specializes in OB.

you can get a zero for non compliance. What I have done with any paper EVER, even before nursing school is get the rules out in front of me on format, contents, etc and follow it to the gnat's ***. If you only had 8 pages and 20 sources, was any of it in your own words..?? that seems like alot of other's words/work and not your own.

Specializes in Cardiac.

We would get a zero if we had 3 misspelled words.

Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiothoracics, VADs.

Wow - harsh. My papers always came with a marking guide, explaining which section was worth how many points etc. So if you left out a conclusion, for example, you automatically lost 20 points. I never knew anyone to get 0 though! So... if you don't hand it in at all, do you get -20?

Specializes in Critical Care.

2 rules of college:

1. The instructor is always right.

2. If you want to pass, see rule #1.

The above was sage advice from my very first college prof. As much as anything else, this advice kept me from failing nursing school.

~faith,

Timothy.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele.

what did you mean with convoluted, did your prof. say, you used to much of other peoples words and did not give credit? Then yes, I can understand the O, for the paper. What exactly was given as a reason for the O ?

My professor told us that he wanted at least 20 sources. I did a previous paper with only 3 sources and he deducted 10 points for that reason. He told us that we are not to add our own personal opinion. The whole paper should pretty much be parapahrased. He didn't give us any sort of scoring rubric to guide us. I made quite a few mistakes on the paper, but I never thought it was possible to do days of work to end up with a zero. Thanks for the feedback.

Specializes in Looking for a career in NICU.

Your professor, I think, has been smoking crack to want 20 sources for an 8 page paper...that is overkill, there is no way you can adequately explain any of it in 8 pages, and have a beginning, a support of your idea, and a conclusion.

It sounds like your professor needs to learn how to write a paper. There is a difference between a PERSONAL opinion and drawing a conclusion...what is the point of writing a paper if you can't draw a conclusion and show you understood the research you did? There isn't! That defeats the entire point of doing a paper!!!!

Also, I would never, EVER give a student a zero on work...you did 20 sources as he asked, did 8 pages, and he gives you the SAME GRADE as those that didn't do it at all?

That's just wrong, and I am so sorry you have this individual at your school.

Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I'd file a grievance/academic appeal with the head of the program of whatever this prof is teaching. English, Nursing, science, etc. Have you sat down with the prof to have him give you the reasons/rationle behind your zero? I'd go with the following course of action.

1. sit down with prof to have him explain WHY you got a 0.

2. Attempt to rectify said situation if it is unreasonable.

3. File an appeal with head of the program prof teaches in. Be aware this may mark you as a troublemaker with other profs in the department.

4. If that does not resolve satisfactory, file an appeal with the academic appeals committee.

5. If you can show that NO attempt was made by prof to explain what he wanted, then you may have a case.

If you have any issues, feel free to PM me.

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