Exploring Writing and Citation Conventions in

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Section One: Researching Your Field
PLEASE READ DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY – MY FIELD IS SOCIAL SCIENCES W/ A CONCENTRATION IN POLY SCI. THAT IS THE FIELD YOU WILL BE RESEARCHING – CITATION IS BASED ON YOUR RESEARCH
DIRECTIONS BELOW
• Now it’s time to think about the specific writing and formatting conventions for your field/discipline. (If you’re doing multi- or interdisciplinary studies, then choose one of your fields as the focus for this course.) Please gather information about writing conventions in your field by doing the following:
1. Start with Google. Are there any organizations affiliated with your field of study? (Any organization that’s national or international will be especially significant to the field.) Are there any publications affiliated with the organizations? (These may range from popular to trade to scholarly.) What citation system(s) are relevant to your field?
2. Go to the ESC Library (https://www.esc.edu/library/) and click on “Subject Guides.” Choose a subject that’s relevant to your field. Which databases are relevant to your field? (If none or few seem relevant, please try a different subject.)
3. Try to access a few of the major publications in your field. : https://suny-esc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/jsearch?vid=01SUNY_ESC:01SUNY_ESC
4. Skim a few journals to get a sense of what kinds of articles they publish. Check out their “Submission Guidelines” as well.
“Researching Your Field” Response Essay: In a 3-4 page (double-spaced) paper, explain to me what you’ve learned about the writing and citation conventions in your field. (This essay does not require a thesis.)
As you’re skimming journal articles, try to read as many abstracts as possible to get a sense of different arguments/debates happening in your field. You will be writing a research paper in your field, so take notes on ideas as they come to you.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step-by-Step Guide for Writing the “Researching Your Field” Response Essay:

Step 1: Understand the Assignment Requirements

  • Length: 3-4 pages (double-spaced)
  • Content: The goal is to explore the writing and citation conventions specific to your field of study. This means researching how to write academically, the citation system used, and identifying key publications, organizations, and databases relevant to your field.
  • Focus: You don’t need a thesis for this essay, but your response should clearly explain the findings from your research about writing conventions in your discipline.

Step 2: Begin Your Research

  1. Start with Google:

    • Search for Organizations: Look up national or international organizations related to your field of study. For example:
      • For Business: The American Marketing Association (AMA), Academy of Management (AOM), or the Business and Economics Society International (BESI).
      • For Psychology: American Psychological Association (APA) or British Psychological Society (BPS).
      • For Education: National Education Association (NEA), American Educational Research Association (AERA).
    • Publications: Identify relevant journals or publications affiliated with these organizations. Some publications may be more academic, while others might be trade or popular outlets. For instance:
      • For Business: Journal of Business Research, Harvard Business Review.
      • For Psychology: Journal of Applied Psychology, Psychological Science.
      • For Education: Educational Leadership, Journal of Educational Psychology.
    • Citation System: Based on the organization, find out which citation system is commonly used in your field. For example, business may use APA or Chicago style, while humanities often prefer MLA.

  2. Visit the ESC Library:

    • Go to the ESC Library website (https://www.esc.edu/library/), and click on “Subject Guides” to find the field most relevant to your studies.
    • Identify which databases are most relevant to your field. For example:
      • Business: Business Source Premier, JSTOR.
      • Psychology: PsycINFO, PubMed.
      • Education: ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), JSTOR.
    • Explore Relevant Databases: Try searching in the databases to get a sense of the types of articles published in your field. Take notes on the language, formatting, and topics.

  3. Access Major Publications:

    • Use the SUNY ESC Primo link to access major publications in your field (https://suny-esc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/jsearch?vid=01SUNY_ESC:01SUNY_ESC).
    • Look for articles or journals that are influential in your field. Skim through the abstracts to get an idea of the topics and types of arguments being discussed.
    • Submission Guidelines: If available, read the submission guidelines to understand what is expected in terms of formatting, writing style, and citation in these journals.

Step 3: Write Your Response Essay

  1. Introduction:

    • Briefly introduce your field of study and explain the importance of understanding writing and citation conventions.
    • You don’t need a thesis, but mention that you’ll be exploring the relevant guidelines you found during your research.

  2. Main Body:

    • Writing Conventions:
      • Describe the general writing conventions of your field. For example, does your field prioritize clarity and conciseness? Does it tend to use more technical language or a formal tone? Are there particular styles that are encouraged (e.g., passive voice, third-person writing, or direct quotes)?
      • Provide examples from the journals or organizations you explored.
    • Citation Systems:
      • Explain the citation system used in your field. For example, is APA or Chicago more commonly used in business, psychology, or education? Are footnotes common? Or do journals in your field prefer parenthetical citations?
      • Mention any unique formatting or citation rules (e.g., citing sources with multiple authors, how to cite journal articles, or formatting book titles).
    • Key Publications:
      • Summarize the kinds of publications found in your field, such as trade publications, scholarly journals, or conference proceedings. Provide examples from your research.
      • Mention any notable journals or editorial standards they uphold.
    • Key Databases:
      • Briefly discuss the most important databases for your field and why they are essential for finding quality research. Mention the ones you explored in the ESC library.

  3. Conclusion:

    • Summarize your findings regarding writing conventions, citation systems, and the key publications/databases in your field.
    • Reflect on how this knowledge will help you in your future academic or professional endeavors.

Step 4: Final Review and Editing

  • Proofread your essay for clarity, structure, and formatting. Ensure your writing is coherent, well-organized, and free from grammatical or typographical errors.
  • Check for APA Style: Make sure you follow the APA format for references and in-text citations.
  • Ensure Proper Flow: Ensure that each section logically flows into the next, and your essay reads smoothly.

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