Syracuse University Public Affairs Department

PAF 101 Newsletter

Issue 2

Module 2 due October 14!

“How You Can Help…Yourself.”

Exists only if mentioned directly in the exercise directions

General Suggestions

· Modules must be TYPED. Type inside of the boxes for each exercise.

· Make sure that all justifications are in full sentences.

· Contact Mike Pasqualoni with any research questions or questions about the library.

· The exercise numbers do not correspond with The Maxwell Manual sections so be sure to read the book carefully.

· Citations are required for most of these exercises!! Always cite if you’re not sure.

· Don’t forget a newspaper article is from a published newspaper. TV news channel websites are not newspapers! CNN.com does NOT count.

· Clearly label and attach the first page of articles directly behind the ENTIRE exercise that they are first used in.

· Some exercises specify that only the first page of the article should be attached.

· When printing articles, print directly from the website. Do NOT copy article and print from a word document.

· Make sure your writing is as clear and brief as possible. The less ink, the better!

· When asked to quote from Professor Coplin’s books, quotes must be verbatim.

· Time limits on exercises exist only if mentioned directly in the exercise directions.

· Modules are due at the beginning of class. Any module turned in after 12:50 is considered late! You will lose five points.

· If you have questions contact your TA by email or attend any TA’s office hours. However, always check The Maxwell Manual first!

· DO NOT STRESS. If you start early and do not procrastinate, you should finish your module with lots of time to check it over!

· Module 2 is the longest of the 5, so manage your time well!

· Start each new exercise on a new page. For example, exercise 2.2 should start on a new page after all part of exercise 2.1 are completed.

· When you use a website for a citation, make sure it is NOT in blue ink or a hyperlink.

· If you copy/paste or take something directly from a website, you MUST cite it, even if you are not required to use a source for the exercise.

Exercise 2.1

• Make sure that you write no more than three sentences describing why a source is good or bad for your topic.
• Make sure the sentences are specific and that they do not repeat the same thought.
• Attach a printout of the first page of your GoodSearch results.
• The topic you use for this exercise does not have to be the topic you will use in 2.8 and throughout the rest of the module.

Exercise 2.2

• Make sure that you include the geographic location and year for the statistic!
• Remember that the statistic may not be from the US Census.
• Don’t attach the table.

Exercise 2.3

• You need to locate a news or magazine article NOT an article from an academic journal.

Exercise 2.4

• Remember you CANNOT use government published books.
• Make sure to attach a photocopy of the book’s title page.
• Quote one FULL sentence.

Exercise 2.5

• Remember you CANNOT use US census data.
• Make sure you are using a United States government publication NOT a brief news announcement or summary.
• Make sure you only write ONE sentence.

Exercise 2.6

• In part B, remember the policy paper/working paper/policy brief must be from within the PAST 5 YEARS.
• You must access the contacts section through your article.

Exercise 2.7

• Remember to fill in the census chart with the data from the 2000 census report.
• Do not use percent signs or dollar signs if already indicated.
• Remove brackets from top row or lose 1 point.

Exercise 2.8

• Remember that a societal problem consists of too _____ (much, many, little, etc) of something.
• Your societal problem must include a local geographic location. If topic is education, make sure location is a school district.
• Your societal problem must relate to your societal category.

Exercise 3.1

• You must have three questions to ask your player.
• The previous policy that you are referencing must be within the last five years.
• Make sure it is a policy and not a problem.
• Make sure your player is a person, not an organization.
• Make sure you include BOTH the email address AND the phone number with the area code.

Exercise 4.1

· Use The Maxwell Manual to make sure you know the difference between attitudinal and factual information. This should not be in the form of a question.

· You CANNOT use any single K-12 school or university for your target population.

Exercise 4.2

• Choose only ONE method of contact for part A.
• Choose only ONE variable for part B.

Exercise 4.3

• Remember to be as detailed as possible in describing the exact procedures you will use to select the sample and contact the respondents.
• Show all of your calculations.
• Make sure to correctly estimate the response rate (Use The Maxwell Manual).
• Make sure your target population is the same as in previous exercises.

Exercise 4.4

• Use The Maxwell Manual to know the difference between a closed choice question and an open question.
• Remember to base one question on the factual information from your player in 3.1 and the other question on the attitudinal information.
• Questions should always include “not sure.”

Exercise 4.5

• Remember to attach the full article.
• Be thorough in your evaluation.
• Articles must be from the PAST 6 MONTHS.

Exercise 4.6

• Most students lose points on the Reference Page, so be sure to follow the APA Guide on the PAF101 website.
• Don’t forget to write the word ‘References’ before listing your sources.
• Always double space the reference page.
• Make sure all references are listed in alphabetical order.
• Remember to have a hanging indent should your references exceed one line.
• There should be no hyperlinks for websites.
• Do not use the Electronic Version citation as a way to cite articles found online-they are always wrong.

Any questions or suggestions concerning the newsletter should be emailed to Jessie Kitzman, the Newsletter Editor, at jkkitzma@syr.edu