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Research Paper Workshop FAQs  

* What is the difference between paraphrase, summary and quotation?
* What are the consequences of plagiarism?
* What's the difference between a primary and secondary source?
* What's the difference between a magazine and a scholarly journal?
* How long does it take to get a book or article through Interlibrary Loan?
* Return to Research Paper Workshop handout

* What is the difference between paraphrase, summary and quotation?
A direct quotation uses someone else's words. A quotation must be inside quotation marks. Keep quotations short -- usually no longer than 4 lines. A paraphrase puts someone else's ideas in your own words. A summary takes someone else's ideas, reduces them to the main points, and restates them in your own words. Whether you paraphrase, summarize or quote, you must give credit to the person whose ideas you are using by including the source in your bibliography, footnotes, endnotes or in-text citation.

* What are the consequences of plagiarism?
This information comes from the Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 6C5-4.001, on "Honor Code, Academic Irregularities, and Student's Academic Grievances." See also the FAU Student Handbook, under "Rules and Regulations." Plagiarism is defined as "The presentation of words or ideas from any other source as one's own." After a process of notification, documentation and appeal, if it is determined that the student is guilty of repeated plagiarism, "the Department Head will recommend to the Dean a penalty suspension or expulsion."

* What's the difference between a primary and secondary source?
This information comes from Writing the Modern Research Paper, 2nd ed. by Robert Dees, pp. 4-5 (LB 2369 .D44 1997):
Primary sources include original material from the following:
  • Your own experiences
  • Field observations
  • Interviews
  • Laboratory reports
  • Diaries
  • Letters
  • Literary works
Secondary sources are found in the following:
  • Encyclopedias
  • Magazines
  • Journals
  • Books
  • Newspapers
  • Pamphlets
  • Indexes
  • Computer databases
  • Government reports

* What's the difference between a magazine and a scholarly journal?
This wonderful chart comparing magazines and scholarly journals comes from Before You Write a Research Paper, from University of Utah's Marriott Library

Popular Magazine Scholarly Journal
EXAMPLE Newsweek Journal of Social Issues
PURPOSE Provides articles designed to inform or entertain Presents news and results of original research to scholars and professionals
AUDIENCE Mass audience, general readership Specialized readers or peers in discipline
STYLE Non-technical language Technical/specialized language
AUTHORS Editorial staff or freelance writers Scholars and professionals in a specialized field
PUBLISHER Usually published commercially and sold in large bookstores and magazine stores Usually published by or in association with an academic institution or professional organization
ADS Promotes a wide variety of products and services Little or no advertising
CITATIONS Most sources are not fully cited Sources are always cited through footnotes/endnotes and bibliographies
REVIEW POLICY Usually reviewed by an editor Usually reviewed by an independent panel of distinguished peers. Also known as peer-reviewed or refereed

* How long does it take to get a book or article through Interlibrary Loan?
If the item is at another FAU campus, and under optimal conditions, it may take only one or two days. If the item is at another institution, it can take up to several weeks. Plan ahead and order your Interlibrary Loans early in the semester!

* Back to Research Paper Workshop handout at http://www.library.fau.edu/npb/respaper.htm

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