The Psychology
of Gender Differences
v Make sure your topic is
narrow enough for reasonable coverage in 5-6 pages.
v
Utilize primary sources for the majority of citations. Primary sources are the scientific,
peer-reviewed journal articles where research findings are first
published. Secondary sources include
books, book chapters or broad reviews of research that might appear in a journal
article. Newspapers, popular magazines,
and most websites, are not legitimate scientific
sources. Online journal articles (if
peer-reviewed) are acceptable.
v Use a formal, expository
writing style -- avoid the use of first person (i.e., I). Use standard English
– do not use colloquial phrases, slang, contractions.
v
Citation style should be American Psychological Association or other
similar style (see text) using name/date in parentheses within the narrative
and references in list at the end of the paper.
v
Figures/graphs should be limited if used at all and included in an
appendix separate from the 5-6 pages of content.
v
Reference list should be separate from the 5-6 pages
of text.
v Use 1-inch margins on all
pages. Use a cover page for title and
name and begin text at the top of the first page of text. Double space text or use 1.5 spacing.
v
Use 11-12-point font.
v
Include page numbers.
v
Staple pages – do not place in clear plastic
folder.
v
Scoring breakdown will be as follows:
Expressed understanding of topic (breadth/depth) 70 points
Grammar/Usage/Style/Visual
Appeal 30 points
Total 100
points
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Review Paper Writing Tips
Ø
Create an outline for your
paper. If you cannot write an outline,
you will have difficulty writing the paper.
Ø
Do not use contractions in
formal writing.
Ø
Do not use first person (I)
and do not include anecdotes about your own experience.
Ø
Check noun/verb agreement.
Ø
Begin paragraphs with a
topic sentence.
Ø
Eliminate needless words and
do not use slang or colloquial phrases.
Ø
Use direct quotes very
sparingly. A direct quote is only
used when the original work is so unique or provocative that it cannot be
paraphrased. Direct quotes must be
enclosed in quotation marks and include a full citation, including the page
number on which it appears.
Ø
When a reference has three
or more authors, cite all authors the first time the reference occurs; in
subsequent citations, include only the first author’s last name followed by “et
al.” and the year of the publication.
Ø
Use active voice if possible
(avoid use of multiple verb phrases)
CORRECT: The
participants completed the experiment
INCORRECT:
The experiment was completed by the participants.
Ø
While vs. whereas: “While” is used for things happening
simultaneously. “Whereas” is used for
comparison of two groups.
Ø
Since vs. because: “Since” can have time meaning. “Because” is used for giving a reason.
Ø
That vs. which: “That” is used when it is essential to the
word phrase. “Which” is for adding
information, but it is not necessary to the sentence.
Ø
Effect vs. affect: “Effect” is a noun. “Affect” is typically a verb (except when
referring to basic emotional response in psychological theory).
Ø
Fewer vs. less: “Fewer” is used when referring to something
that can be counted (e.g. calories, people, clouds). “Less” is used when referring to something
that is difficult to count (e.g. cholesterol, happiness, atmosphere).
Ø
Check and double-check your
reference style (APA).
Ø
In addition to using
spell-check, thoroughly proofread your paper.
The spelling may be correct but it may be the wrong form in the context
or may be a typo of a “real” word.
Ø
Include in your reference
list only those references cited in the text of your paper. If you do not cite it, then it should not
appear on your reference page.
Conversely, if you cite it, it must appear in your reference list.
Important information on plagiarism and how to avoid it – See Professor
Virginia Berg’s FAQs (http://fp.uni.edu/berg/homepage/plagiarism.htm)
Links to more extensive information
on writing review/research papers:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResearchW/index.html
http://www.utoronto.ca/hswriting/lit-review.htm
http://depts.washington.edu/%7Epsywc/handouts/litrev.html
http://www.cariboo.bc.ca/ae/psych/roberts/papers.htm
http://www.sv.uit.no/seksjon/psyk/paper.htm