Making Research Papers Less Painful

 

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2015, Volume 36

Pamela L. Connerly

Abstract

Students come to biology courses with a wide range of writing experience and skill. Upper-level Cell Biology students complete a long, intensive literature research paaper about an organelle or cellular structure of their choosing. Requiring multiple mini-assignments leading up to the final paper, with detailed feedback on each, has improved the quality of papers. The mini-assignments, due every 2-3 weeks, include submitting the topic, a course contract regarding plagiarism, an outline, an annotated bibliography, and a draft of two sections of the paper. Details on the assignment and additional suggestions from mini-workshop participants are included in this short paper.

Keywords:  cell biology, writing, scientific literature

University of Oregon (2014)