Using Internet for Research:

*Books and scholarly journals remain the best sources of information for academic research. This is because the editorial process gives us some assurance that the facts provided in them have been double-checked for accuracy.  Anyone  can put a web site on the Internet and write anything they want. We cannot tell if the facts in them are true or not.

*However, many useful reference works can now be accessed through the Internet (eg in our METU ebrary collections). Google Scholar and Google Books are also useful for these.

*I will NOT accept papers for which half or more than half the sources listed are from Internet websites.  Remember, though, that ebrary texts and  articles from periodicals are print sources, not an internet sources.  The fact that you just happened to find it on the Internet is not a problem.  The limit on Internet sources refers to websites.

* All Internet sources you use must be fully referenced (see Winkler and McCuen manual) and must be from credible institutions such as governments, well-established institutions (for example NATO ) or universities.

*You may NOT use web sites created by individuals (unless they hold a teaching position at a university) or non-academic organizations.

When writing your paper:

*Always include a title page.

* Always include an introductory paragraph and a concluding paragraph in your essays and papers.

* Do not plagiarize.

 References are required in the following cases.
        a) the words of another person are used
        b) statistics, tables, figures or illustrations are cited
        c) the original ideas of another person are used.

* Always provide a list of sources at the end of a research paper.

* I will accept either:
      a) the MLA (Modern Language Association) style of documentation or 
      b) the  APA (American Psychological Association) style

* I will not accept inventions of your own. Keep a writing manual at your side while typing your paper.

*   Information you obtain from the Internet must be cited.

*   Use a good monolingual dictionary to check spellings and meanings   Do NOT rely on spell check programmes

*  Do not make typographical errors. Proofread your paper before submitting it. Spell/grammar check programs are not sufficient for this task.

* Fasten pages with a stapler, not a paper clip or a plastic cover.

* Number the pages of your text. Remember that the title page and pages containing endnotes and/or bibliographical information are not counted in the required number of pages for a paper.

Deadlines:
* Late papers will be penalized one percent per day late.    Papers handed in outside of class time may be put under my office door.  Such papers must be in a plastic folder or an envelope. I will not be responsible for papers lost en route to me. Make an extra copy if you feel you need insurance.

Basics of Good Writing:

* Most of you still have weak written English.  The research paper must be written in good and grammatical English, however.  So put aside enough time to check your language very carefully before submitting your final draft.  I will deduce grades for easily avoidable grammar and vocabulary errors.

* Do not use the first person (“I,” “my”, "we","our") or the second person (“you,” “your”).

 * Do not use contractions in formal writing. ("It is not" NOT "It isn't).

* Avoid dashes (-) altogether.