RESEARCH PAPER CHECKLIST:

Here's a checklist that you should use in the
writing of your Research Paper for the USC
SAE 550 Class.  This is what I use in grading
papers.

This isn't meant to indicate a strict FORMAT
or an OUTLINE-- it's just a checklist. Please
refer to the class website and lecture notes
for detailed instructions on formatting your
paper.

( ) Title Page?
( ) Abstract (with a brief biography)?
( ) Introduction or Background or History?
( ) A general description of the system?
( ) FOL #1 Analysis, at least 2 examples? 
( ) FOL #2 Analysis, at least 2 examples? 
( ) FOL #3 Analysis, at least 2 examples? 
( ) FOL #4 Analysis, at least 2 examples? 
( ) FOL #5 Analysis, at least 2 examples? 
( ) Additional FOL Analysis, at least 1 example? 
( ) Proposed/"New" FOL (extra credit)?
( ) A summary or conclusion?
( ) References or bibliography or footnotes?

The term “FOL Analysis, at least 2 examples”
means that you have provided two different
examples of how that particular Fact-Of-Life
(FOL) impacted the system’s architecture or
design.  I’m expecting a NARRATIVE format
of AT LEAST ONE paragraph for each example.
Please DO NOT use the abbreviated/bulletized
format used in the Homework.

What if you can’t find information about
one or more of the FOL’s?  DO NOT SKIP THAT
ANALYSIS, and assume that it is not applicable!
Such omission will significantly impact your
grade.  You may need to analyze a similar
type of system, and then predict (by analogy)
what would likely happen with your system
under those circumstances.

My intent in providing you with this list is
to HELP you in accomplishing a comprehensive
analysis of your chosen topic, and to
provide some insight into the kind of
technical "meat" that I'm looking for in
considering your paper's grade.

N.B. very few papers are worthy of an “A” grade
in this class unless they exceed most of the
requirements given in the Research Paper
Checklist (i.e. have more that the minimum
required number of examples of the political
facts of life, plus at least one new proposed
political fact of life).  The checklist
descriptions represent the minimum requirements
for a passing grade (“B”) in the class.  And
to deserve an “A+” grade, a paper would have
to be of sufficient quality and depth of
analysis that it could be used as a Case Study
for this class.

One of the metrics used to grade papers is the
volume of analysis, which should be at least 10
pages of analysis in terms of 12 point text in
Times New Roman font, single spaced, with 1" top
and bottom margins and 1-1/4" left and right
margins (and figures deleted unless they
specifically contribute to the analysis).

HINTS!  Common mistakes that students make include:

* No title page.  Believe it or not, this happens!
  In many of the USC Distance Education Network
  (DEN) classes (but not this one), students are
  required to submit their papers via e-mail or a
  fax to the DEN, rather than online via DEN
  Assignments.  In such cases students may be used
  to filling out a DEN submittal form. The DEN
  submittal form is not a title page!

* No abstract, or missing a biography in the abstract.
  Yes, you have to both provide an abstract for
  approval AND place that abstract on the second page
  of your paper.  If you have adjusted your abstract
  after obtaining approval of your chosen topic, then
  the ADJUSTED abstract should be used in the paper.

* No clear linkage of analysis to a specific FOL.
  Your paper should clearly indicate which FOL
  (or FOLs) are applicable to the analysis presented.
  There are two major ways of ensuring clear linkage:
  the first is to have a separate section header for
  each FOL and then provide the appropriate analysis,
  and the second is to indicate the appropriate FOL
  in parentheses at the conclusion of each analysis,
  e.g. (FOL #2: COST RULES).

* Missing one or more examples for a FOL.  Remember that
  for the five primary FOLs there must be at least two
  different examples (more is better), and for any one
  of the additional FOLs there must be at lease one
  example (more examples are better).  Examples of more
  than one of the additional FOLs are better still.

* Missing one (or more) of the other items on the checklist.

* Figures(s) without a detailed explanation of content.
  You should not succumb to the temptation of filling in
  blank space or attempting to increase the length of your
  paper with meaningless figures (including diagrams,
  graphics, artwork, and tables).  All figures should
  have a reference in your text (a figure number, a
  table number, etc.).  And your text should include
  at least one paragraph that explains the figure in
  terms of the analysis that you’re providing.  In
  short, everything in your paper should be relevant.

* Limited depth of analysis (paper too short, or less
  than 10 pages of detailed analysis in terms of the
  Political “Facts Of Life”). For example, a 50 page
  paper filled with detailed technical descriptions
  and fancy color figures/pictures of the system
  (but only 5 pages of political analysis via the FOLs)
  will not receive a good grade.

* Too terse of analysis.  Remember that your paper
  should use full sentences-- the abbreviated
  “bulletized” format used in the homework is not
  appropriate for use in your paper.  Please use full
  sentences with clear explanations.  You should not
  assume that your audience is familiar with either
  your chosen topic nor the class concepts.  You may
  want to (briefly) describe the Political “Facts Of
  Life” in your in introduction, but you are not
  required to do so.

* No (or improper) references, footnotes, or
  bibliography.  Surely you must have used something
  as a reference in the development of your paper,
  even if you are a “world expert” on your chosen
  topic!  And please remember to properly cite the
  SAE 550 class lectures if you use material from
  those lectures in your paper.  Remember also that
  too many references to uncontrolled Internet sites
  may detract from your paper’s grade.

* Improper citations for quoted text or copied
  artwork.  Yes, you can “borrow” artwork or a
  figure or table from another source, but you
  must properly cite that source!  And yes, you
  can include direct verbiage from another source,
  but you must properly designate those words
  in quotations and properly cite that source!
  (This includes the case where you are the
  author of the “other source”!)  Failure to
  properly reference copied text will be
  treated as a violation of academic integrity!

* Excessive amount of quoted text.

* Spelling errorz.  Please remember to do a
  “Spell Check” before submitting your paper.
  If a quoted source includes a spelling error,
  simple place the designation (sic) after that
  word to show that you weren’t the one that
  made the error.  Also remember that most
  spell-checkers are not a substitute for good
  editing (for example, deciding whether
  “threw” or “through” is the correct word in
  a given context).

Ken Cureton
cureton@usc.edu