Previous Work CMPE 185

Goals for this project To practice in-depth library research on a specific subject, and present a paper incorporating that research. May be used as part of your Final Project, as background or overview.

What do I include in this paper? The easy answer: ◦ The first five or six pages of your final project.  (Modified somewhat so it works as a stand-alone document.) If you choose to make this unrelated to your final project: ◦ You should create a survey article, covering the essential background of a technical subject.

Does your final project not need a previous work section? Then, treat this as a relatively standard five-page research paper on the technical subject of your choice. Recommended: Make your subject relevant to the subject of your Final Project, in some way. You might not include this paper’s text directly in your Final project, but it should help focus your research.

Choosing a topic Recommended: Pick something you’re familiar with. If you choose to cover something you’ve already investigated in a previous project, choose a small aspect of that project. Create a topic statement.

Target Audience If you plan for this to be the opening section of your final project, that should dictate your audience. Otherwise, assume your audience has some knowledge of what you’re discussing, but they aren’t experts. You can assume the reader knows roughly as much about the subject matter as you did – before you researched the matter in depth. If you have a specific audience type in mind, make that clear from the outset.

Resources You must cite at least four sources. At least three of these must be from printed sources, not online-only sources. (If you have access to an online source of an article that is physically printed elsewhere, this is acceptable as a printed source.) You must include and cite information from all four sources. Library search Build subject-heading and keyword searches around your topic statement. When you find relevant articles or books, see what those authors cite as references.

More resources Article Databases (which you should now have experience with) are particularly useful. Pick 3-5 articles to start with. Don’t just pick the first three you find. Choose the most relevant. Be sure to note all citation information. ing yourself citation information will save you time. Talk to your friendly neighborhood Reference Librarian.

Organize your Information Decide what your main points are. Locate key information from the texts. Present the clearest explanations possible for each topic and subtopic. Keep an eye out for contradictory information and opinions. Remember, your job is to present opinions and information, not to judge them. Treat each source fairly.

Basic requirements: Length: 5-6 pages, double spaced Must cite at least four sources. At least three cited sources must be from printed source material. ◦ Electronically-accessed printed material (journal articles found through library.ucsc.edu, for example) count as printed material.

Any questions?