Research Paper ?? and HELP!!

Nurses General Nursing

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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!!!

Any advice?

Thanks!!

________________________________________

In His Grace,

Karen

Failure is NOT an option!!

Specializes in Geriatrics, Pediatrics, Home Health.
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:

What level courses are you taking? Masters or BSN?

Actually, ADN. I think I see what I did wrong. I am going to the library after clinical today to look at research papers the instructor has on file there.

I papaphrased a research paper in English 102 and failed it...so this time, I quoted word for word. Go figure!!

Thanks for all your advice!!

____________________________

In His Grace,

Karen

Failure is NOT an option!!

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

You go, girl friend! You can do it. Make the paper your own, not just a reference list. :heartbeat :kiss

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Hi--

I am an English teacher, and the advice you've received is right on. Using quotes is fine, but each quote should be introduced and followed by your own analysis (comment, connection with other material, argument, etc.). Make sure that your own ideas come across clearly.

Please use the writing lab. I advise students to come in more than once with an important paper. Instructors want papers that are proofread and clearly organized.

Writing is a skill like anything else, and anyone can learn the techniques. You can do this! Good luck. :)

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Specializes in Public Health, DEI.

I would also suggest taking a course in English Composition. I'm a bit surprised you were able to get into nursing school without having taken that class in high school. You'll learn all about research papers. The time investment will pay off in nursing school and in your career.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Pediatrics, Home Health.
I would also suggest taking a course in English Composition. I'm a bit surprised you were able to get into nursing school without having taken that class in high school. You'll learn all about research papers. The time investment will pay off in nursing school and in your career.

Not only did I take English Comp in HS I also took it at University in 1988 I got a B. I had to do a research paper then and paraphrased it in my own words and got an F!! She wanted me to use quotes, so when I did this one, based on what I had learned at the SAME University, I used quotes.

Oh well. That was then and this is now...so when in Rome....

Thanks!!

___________________________

In His Grace,

Karen

Failure is NOT an option!!

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Specializes in L&D.
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!

Never mind.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Nursing Education.

Doesn't your school make you buy an APA manual?

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

Uh in the research papers I have writen I actually did the research, otherwise it is really not "research" looking up others work, I would have to see the objectives of your paper. Is that what your instructor was looking for?

renerian

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Pediatrics, Home Health.
Uh in the research papers I have writen I actually did the research, otherwise it is really not "research" looking up others work, I would have to see the objectives of your paper. Is that what your instructor was looking for?

renerian

She loved my quotes. Here is what she said: "Ok, Karen, you have good quotes, but you haven't added to this with your own words. You cannot quote an entire paper or you will fail this assignment and possibly the entire course."

Under the 'Professional Responsiblities" section of the paper I direct quoted the Nursing Code of Ethics.

To answer other posters, I bought the APA manual [recommended NOT required] and PERRLA program that puts the paper in APA format.

I used to teach English myself, and a research paper was always QUOTED and NEVER paraphrased. Of Course this was in the early eighties. :rotfl:

All my students had for research was encyclopedias. Easy to check to see if they had quoted or tried to put in their own words. :chuckle

Anyway, I now know what she wants and I will make SURE that when my kids do research papers, they will paraphrase and not quote.

_____________________________

In His Grace,

Karen

Failure is NOT an option!!

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she loved my quotes. here is what she said: "ok, karen, you have good quotes, but you haven't added to this with your own words. you cannot quote an entire paper or you will fail this assignment and possibly the entire course."

under the 'professional responsiblities" section of the paper i direct quoted the nursing code of ethics.

to answer other posters, i bought the apa manual [recommended not required] and perrla program that puts the paper in apa format.

i used to teach english myself, and a research paper was always quoted and never paraphrased. of course this was in the early eighties. :rotfl:

all my students had for research was encyclopedias. easy to check to see if they had quoted or tried to put in their own words. :chuckle

anyway, i now know what she wants and i will make sure that when my kids do research papers, they will paraphrase and not quote.

_____________________________

in his grace,

karen

failure is not an option!!

there's nothing wrong with quoting. you can quote and paraphrase when writing a paper. i usually only quote something if it's something of great importance and will add some oomph to the paper by the way it's phrased. otherwise, i just paraphrase. you can also paraphrase into one sentence using information from more than one research article as long as you cite each one.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Most of the papers I write are quotes and paraphrases entirely because I'm presenting ideas that aren't necessarily my own, and not subjects I know a lot about. As long as you include your sources, every sentence can be referenced if need be.

There probably should be a balance so the entire paper is quotes, but paraphrased ideas, or combination of ideas.

Papers should be judged on the presentation of the information, not the number of quotes or paraphrases.

Good luck.

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