Don't Plagiarize! Using someone else's words as though they were yours is wrong and unnecessary. Read about plagiarism and how to avoid having unconscious plagiarism ruin your grade.
Don't Procrastinate! The flexible due dates of this online course and the absence of a penalty for late assignments make postponing your work in this course seductively easy. Leaving a lot of work to be written in the last week or two of the semester is one proven formula for disaster or at least for less than optimum results.
Note the Differences in the Online Version of This Course. Be sure to read the online descriptions of assignments. The online versions often vary from the assignments as described in the textbook or as assigned in the regular sections. If you have questions about the specific requirements of the online assignments, send me an email or call 968-0484.

Follow the Basic Rules of Self-Explanatory Graphics You don't need to be a great artist to add successful graphics to your reports, but you do need to be careful to follow the rules on page 128 in the text. Remember that each graphic should be labeled and titled (tables above, figures below). Remember that all graphics that are not your original creation should have source notes. Watch for Changes and Updates Assignment pages may be updated or changed during the semester, so try to check the appropriate online pages just before starting an assignment. Printing off all of the pages at the start of the semester and never looking at the online version after that is a bad idea. Research Report Priorities The research report is the largest single part of your grade in this course; therefore, you should give it special attention. Knowing what I look for when I grade it might help. Review the list on page 74 in the text. Be sure that your report includes all of the required elements. Check your table of contents and your table of figures. Each entry should exactly match a heading in your report. Check your in-text parenthetical citations. Quotations, hard-to-locate information, and paraphrased opinions should be cited. The full information for each cited source should be listed on the Works Cited (MLA), References (APA or IEEE) or Bibliography (CMS) page. Check your graphics. Your report must have one table and one figure. Be sure that each is correctly labeled, titled and documented. Use Your Spell Checker and Proofread! Spelling and other mechanical errors are avoidable and unacceptable. After using your spell checker, read your report aloud and listen for missing words or unclear or awkward statements. Become Your Own Best Editor! Start a list of the errors that are noted on your reports. Be sure that you understand any correction that I make and be determined to not make the same mistake twice. Before submitting a paper check for each of the problems on your personalized editing list, one at a time. Don't Hesitate to Ask! Everyone needs some help sometimes. If you are confused about any assignment or you run into unexpected complications or you have made some bad decisions about using your time and you want me to cut you some slack, please contact me. Throughout this online course are links inviting you to contact me. Use them or call me at 968-0484. I can't guarantee that I'll be able to solve all problems, but I will try to be helpful and reasonable.

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Contact instructor about this assignment cbrucker@atu.edu

updated: May 22, 2007