Research Paper Specifics

Important

Plagiarism detection is turned on for your Research Paper Assignment. You will have access to
the Originality Report. In the opening segment of your Content Section, there is a Plagiarism
Test for you to become familiar with the topic and how to approach your paper. I strongly
suggest that you take the test and become familiar with the process Columbia College uses in
this area. Research papers are to be your own work, which can be influenced by references.
Cut and paste activity will show up on the Originality report. A high percentage on the
Originality report will affect your grade.

Topics

Students frequently ask for assistance when coming up with a topic. In the back of each
chapter are references which could reveal a topic of interest. Since your class is technology
related you should confine your selection to that general area. There are new products coming
on line all the time, these will furnish an abundance of research material because of their
current nature. Some of these are:

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

Wireless Security

Mobile Business Computing

Identity Theft

Smartcards

Commercial use of drones

Near Field Communication (NFC)

Naturally these are not the only topics available. It is of particular value for students to choose
a topic that is new to them or provides some benefit on the job. Why not use this assignment
to deepen your knowledge in an area? Post your topic in the proper dropbox by the end of the
second week of class. I will let you know if it is acceptable. There may be some -back-and-forth
to narrow down the subject and the scope you propose.
Format and length

All undergraduate papers are to be 10 pages, double spaced. The title page and bibliography
are not included in this 10 page requirement. Maintain reasonable space between paragraphs
and pay particular attention to the spacing around figures that you include. The use of pictorial
items should be limited.

Font size is limited to 12 and the margins are 1 inch all around. You must use a style process
such as MLA.

Double Important

There is an old saying in business, “If you have to swallow a frog, don’t look at it too long.”
Which means get this paper done right away. All Research Papers are due as listed in the
courses. Late papers are not accepted under any circumstances. These papers are due at the
end of the course but you can turn them in any time by posting them in the dropbox. On the
first day of class you know when this assignment is due. Budget your time well so that you are
not betting on your life being normal in six weeks. We all know things happen that we cannot
foresee. Think of it this way, the sooner you get this done the more time you will have to
prepare for you final exam.

Remember, I will be receiving over 50 papers 8 days apart. It may take a day or two longer to
get your work graded as I have to feather this work in with the week-to-week assignments
students turn in. But rest assured I promise not to look and the frog too long!