![]() |
e Q u e s t................................................. |
![]() |
How to Write Your Paper
As you know, you will be writing a final paper about your project. Keep in mind that there are three goals in your paper: (1) to write academically about the research related to your issue, (2) to write about your personal experiences and insights while undertaking this eQuest project, and, (3) to provide feedback about the eQuest method.
The paper must be at least 20 pages in length, not including the reference page and any appendices you might include. You must cite at least 15 references. Don't cite any more than five of my articles. Have at least five references that are from hardcopy professional journals, and at least five good online articles. Divide your paper into the following major sections with subsections for the eQuest Method section:
IntroductionIn this section, review the literature related to the issue you are studying. I can help you create an outline for this section. Using APA format, cite the references that you found. You can include articles from my online book but no more than five. In the body of the paper, APA citations look like this:
Smith (2000) said that....In the very last paragraph of this section, you will mention how the purpose of your project is to use the eQuest methodology to study the issue. Briefly describe what eQuest is. Go back and read the "What is eQuest" page to refresh your memory. In this paragraph, be sure to mention that part of the eQuest method involved studying the issue from a personal perspective, and how therefore you used the "participant-observation" strategy. Describe how the issue relates to you personally.
According to recent research (Smith & Jones, 2001)...
The eQuest MethodYou will divide this section into subsections that correspond to the various sections of the eQuest program. Be specific about exactly what you did for each of these components. Before writing each subsection, reread the page for it in this eQuest site in order to refresh your memory. Answer the questions listed on that page. Whenever possible, talk about how that component gave you insight into the issue you are exploring - both academic insights and insights into yourself. Describe how that component was or wasn't helpful. If you think there is a way to improve that component, talk about that. Be sure to divide this section into these subsections using these headings:
Assessment and Goal Setting
Learning about Online Behavior
Locating and Evaluating Information
Participating in Online Groups
Establishing One-on-One Relationships
Online Tests and Interactive Programs
Using Different Online Modalities
Creating a Web Page
Free-Form Browsing
Integrating Online and Offline Living
ConclusionsIn this final section describe your conclusions about the project. Summarize the most important points. Summarize what you learned from the people and groups in cyberspace about that issue compared to what you read in the literature about the issue. Did what they say confirm, contradict, modify what the literature says? Talk about what you personally learned during eQuest and how that compares to what others said and what the literature said. Summarize the advantages and disadvantages of the eQuest program, and describe how it might be improved as a personal growth experience.
ReferencesUse APA format to cite the 15 references. If you cite references from the web, include a brief paragraph explaining your rating of the validity of that reference (see the criteria in the Locating and Evaluating Information section). APA format in the reference list looks like this:
Smith, J. (2000). The psychology of interpersonal relationships. New York, Bantam Press. (for a book)Smith, J. and Jones, P. (2001). Interpersonal relationships in the modern age. The Journal of Social Science, 5, 213-220. (for journal articles)
See the page for Locating and Evaluating Information about how to cite online articles.
AppendixHere you may include any extra materials that were related to your project. For example, if you did a formal structured interview, you would include the questions for the interview here. I'll let you know what other materials you should include in the appendix.
Deadlines!You must hand in a first draft of your paper BEFORE the end of the last week of classes. I'll give you suggestions about how to revise it. The final draft of the paper will be due during final exam week (we'll arrange a specific date). Of course, you can always hand in your first and final drafts of the paper EARLY! I highly recommend this!... And don't forget to send me the web page that you created!
Progress reports and your journalRemember that you are supposed to stay in touch with me during your project! Once a week send me an e-mail progress report in which you briefly describe what is happening in each of the ten components of eQuest. Reread these progress reports as you wite your paper. And if you ever run into problems in cyberspace - especially with people or groups that you encounter - be sure to contact me!
As you write your paper, reread through your journal too. There will be sections of your journal that you can integrate into your paper.