Description:

Research Skills is a review of the various aspects of the research process, beginning with limiting the subject and moving to revising the finished product. Emphasis is on the gathering of resource materials, synthesizing the information and developing an essay in which the resource information is used to support a thesis and is documented in an approved academic form. This course meets by arrangement in the Writing Center. This course does not fulfill degree requirements. After registering for this course, the student should contact the Writing Center.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): TBA

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Explore various invention techniques to choose and focus a topic for research.
2. Identify audience and purpose for a research essay.
3. Demonstrate a process for gathering and organizing research from a variety of credible sources.
4. Evaluate credible resources.
5. Apply the methods of taking notes, such as paraphrasing, summarizing, and quoting.
6. Compile a working bibliography.
7. Write an annotated bibliography.
8. Synthesize several resources into a research essay.
9. Document resources using MLA, Chicago, or APA style.
10. Apply editing and revising strategies to the research essay.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Select and Limit the Topic
   A. Demonstrate an ability to choose a topic
   B. Focus a research topic by applying one of the studied invention
strategies
   C. Write a thesis

II. Understand the Two Aims of Research and the Importance of Knowing
Audience
   A. Demonstrate an ability to choose either persuasive or informative
aim for research project
   B. Demonstrate an ability to write an audience analysis for the
research project

III. Organize Research by Prewriting Strategies, Especially Brainstorming
   A. Demonstrate an ability to compile a list of questions to guide
research, categorize questions
   B. Demonstrate an ability to develop an outline for researching a
topic
   
IV. Learn a Process For Conducting Research
   A. Demonstrate an ability to find credible resources to use in the
research essay through a variety of sources: on-line data bases, the
Internet, the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature, the interview, and
the survey. Make bibliography cards of each resource used
   B. Show an improved understanding of the resources by taking notes on
literature read on note cards
   C. Show an ability to compile a working bibliography
   D. Demonstrate the ability to write an annotated bibliography
   E. Keep a log of the research process
   F. Synthesize resources by summarizing, paraphrasing and/or quoting
   G. Organize synthesized resources into an essay which is informative or
persuasive

V. Write a Research Essay Which Demonstrates an Ability to Complete the
Following Steps
   A. Document resources cited in essay using MLA or APA style
   B. Revise and edit the research essay with feedback from instructor or
writing center peer tutors
      1. Show the ability to apply revision strategies, such as add, cut,
change, or move
      2. Demonstrate the ability to eliminate convention errors, as listed
in the English Program Objectives

WRITING CENTER HOURS:
   
 Spring and Fall Semesters:       Summer Semester:
   Mon.-Thurs:  8:00-8:00           Mon.-Thurs:  8:00-8:00
   Fri.: 8:00-2:00
   Sat.: 9:00-3:00
   Sun.: Noon-4:00

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

COURSE RATIONALE:  In this course students are expected to follow the
guideline of the course booklet. There are no tests; however, the
student's work will be evaluated by the instructor at each step of the
process. (See instructor's evaluation sheet.) T'he final will be
determined by the completion of the module booklet (approximately 20 hours
spent in the W.C.). Students will use a W.C. word processor program to type
their final papers.

W.C. FOLDER:

Because of the importance of instructor feedback, close supervision of the
completed work will be on-going. The student is expected to keep his/her
papers in the W.C. folder and check with the instructor before and after
each session spent in the W.C. or library. Also, the student is
responsible for making sure the W.C. secretary has logged the time spent.
Folders are kept in the W.C. and distributed when the student signs in.

ATTENDANCE:

Obviously attendance is all-important since all work is done in the W.C. 
The availability of tutors to assist students needing help is one of the
many

PASS/FAIL:

Benefits of the W.C. The student is responsible for making sure the
secretary clocks his/her time spent in the W.C.  Students will be notified
by mail at the midterm if they have fallen behind in their hours or work
completed in the W.C. If these students do not respond, they are
responsible for either dropping the course or applying for an incomplete'
so they may finish the course during the next semester. A failure to take
no course of action will constitute a failing grade for these students
(which is an "F" on the student's transcript). The steps of the process
(outline, notes, rough drafts, and final paper) and the research log make
up the final grade.

Students should follow the assignment sheet and ask for assistance when
necessary.

Library orientation/exercises    10 pts. 
Question outline                  5 pts. 
Notes/research/bib cards         10 pts.
Working bibliography              5 pts.
Outline (revised)                10 pts.
Annotated bibliography            5 pts.
Rough draft                       5 pts.
Revised draft with works cited   10 pts.
Research log                     10 pts.
Final                            30 pts.
Total                           100 pts.

Research Log: 

Students must keep a notebook which logs the number of hours which are
spent working on their projects, activities which are accomplished, and
problems which are encountered.

'The contract  I" grade is reserved for the student who is unable to
complete the course requirements because of a crisis situation (lengthy
illness, death in the family, etc.) and who has completed more than 50% of
the minimum hourly requirements.

GRADING METHOD:
   
 A = 90 - 100%
 B = 80 -  89%
 C = 70 -  79%
 D = 60 -  69%
 F =  0 -  59%

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.