Phys 1403 – Stars and Galaxies – Research paper
Please take a few minutes to read over the instructions for your research paper. Your paper must be submitted to the Phys 1403 – Research paper.
The use of generative AI tools like (but not limited to) Chat GPT is not permitted for this research paper. For research and writing assistance please work with our writing tutors and the library.
- Please pick one from the following topics:
- Galactic collisions
- Hubble Space telescope
- Chandra X-ray Observatory
- The age of the universe
- Your paper must be at least four full pages. You will be penalized if your paper is shorter than four full pages (not including your title, header and works cited page). Please use Phys 1403 12 pt Times New Roman font and double-space your
- You will be writing a brief paper about one of the topics given A good paper will focus on the following:
- Some context – Why is this object or topic important and interesting to the field of astronomy?
- What is the most current knowledge in the field (if applicable)? (You will not be able to write about everything, so choose a few important Please note the word “current” – you should report on the most recent information you can find, not information from a few decades ago.)
- What unanswered questions remain?
When creating your paper, start with an introduction paragraph. The last sentence of this paragraph should be your thesis statement, which lays out your argument for the paper. The body paragraphs of your paper should be arranged logically so that your writing flows from one topic to another. Your paper should also end with a conclusion paragraph.
- You must use at least three sources besides your text. Your text can be one of your sources, but you must have at least three others in addition to it. Encyclopedias (either hardcopy or online) are not appropriate sources. You can use them as starting points and links to other information, but you cannot count them as one of your Good sources include books, magazines, web sites from universities or NASA, etc. Be careful – not all sources are created equal, especially online!
HELP WITH SOURCES
Check out the assignment guide here: https://lonestar-online.libguides.com/astronomy
The library has research databases in which you can search for authoritative, trustworthy information sources on your paper topics.
The databases are listed and linked here under the “Articles” tab or on the astronomy guide linked above. https://www.lonestar.edu/library/14624.htm/Phys 1403
The best databases for your project are Academic Search Complete, and the Sci-Tech Premium Collection databases. Use search terms drawn from the topics you have chosen, such as “Kuiper belt objects” or “planetary atmospheres”.
- Your paper will undergo originality checking upon submission against various databases, and you will see an Originality Report which I will be checking. Please read carefully the final note below regarding You may submit your paper as many times as you like until the due date – I will only be grading the most recent submission.
Your Turnitin similarity score should be equal to or less than 25% Phys 1403 in order to get points for originality.
- Please cite your sources in a bibliography at the end of your paper. This needs to be in MLA citation style. Make sure you attribute information you’re using properly using in-text citations, whether you’re directly quoting or paraphrasing that.
Note that a short paper should rely primarily on paraphrased information, not direct quotes.
- Do not wait until the last minute to submit and upload your paper! You will not be able to submit any revisions after the due date has
Guides are available for correctly creating your citations. LSC-Online Library’s citation guide for MLA Style
For a Sample paper with instructions on how to format your paper in Word: Phys 1403
https://lonestar-online.libguides.com/mla/format#s-lg-box-32137912
Tutor help with writing/reviewing your Research paper: https://vlac.lonestar.edu/help/a366
- Login into edu.
- Select LSC_Online
- Select Online Tutoring:
- First use Tutor Match to get help from one of Lone Star College tutors. “Select Topic – English” and “Select Subject – Writing” and schedule a tutor to help (Video Walkthrough)
- If the time slots are not available, you can use “Live Help” and “Select Topic – English” and “Select Subject – Writing” to get a Brainfuse tutor, who is available 24/7. Get CJSim™ Reflection Assignment Help Phys 1403
- Finally, please look at the following link from the LSC-Online Library regarding plagiarism. This is a good source to review. Plagiarism involves taking someone else’s work as your own. It doesn’t just mean direct copying of an entire paper: it can also include paraphrasing without an in-text citation, not properly citing your sources (in text plus works cited page), direct copying without using quotation marks (even if you cite), etc. Plagiarism is grounds for a zero on your paper.
How Your Paper Will Be Evaluated:
A high-scoring paper will use at least 3 credible sources which are cited in-text and on a works cited page. Your sources provide information, but direct quotes are kept to a minimum. Your paper has a clear organizational structure with an introduction paragraph, body paragraphs flowing from one idea to the next, and a proper conclusion paragraph at the end. Your writing is free of grammatical and spelling errors.
For a more detailed breakdown on scoring, see the rubric below.
Tips to Write A High-Scoring Paper: Phys 1403
- Take time to do research and to organize your notes from your sources. Research is not synonymous with “did a Google search, used first three ”
- Think about what the main points of your paper are and put them into a logical Drafting an outline of your paper can help you conceptualize this, and help you see when you need to use which source.
- Get a rough draft finished early! This will give you time to make
- Submit your draft so I can check your selection of sources and citation
- Take advantage of Brainfuse tutors online to improve your writing skills.
- Eliminate common grammar and spelling issues with Grammarly (free accounts available at grammarly.com)
| Poor (0-2.5 points) | Fair (2.5-5 points) | Good (5-7.5 points) | Excellent (7.5-10 points) | |
| CONTENT
Inclusion of all assignment criteria: See assignment instructions. |
Student does not respond to or elaborate upon the criteria listed on the assignment directions. | Student responds to and elaborates upon some of the criteria listed on he assignment directions. | Student responds to and elaborates upon most of the criteria listed on the assignment directions | Student responds to and elaborates upon all of the criteria listed on the assignment directions. |
| RESEARCH/ SUPPORTING MATERIALS
Required type and number of supporting materials: See assignment instructions.
Citation format: MLA
In-text citations are provided when outside information is referenced. Full list of citations is on a separate page after the paper. |
Any of the following is true: Phys 1403
· Student does not include any supporting sources. · Student has plagiarized content (by not including in- text citations, through excessive quoting, pasting in content without putting in quotes, etc). · Turnitin score exceeds 30%. Phys 1403 |
Any of the following is true:
· Student includes one credible source. · Sources are cited but it’s not clear which in-text citation pairs with which source. · Cited information uses excessive direct quotes (in number or length). |
Student uses two credible sources and cites sources using a consistent and clear format. | Student includes three or more credible sources indicating thorough research was performed to gather information for this project. Sources are cited using MLA. In-text citations are accurate and used appropriately.
Information is synthesized and comes together for a cohesive argument. |
| ORGANIZATION/FORMAT/FLOW
Length requirement: 4 full pages.
Font requirement: Times New Roman, size 12
Spacing requirement: Double-spaced |
All of the following are true:
· Paper is unorganized and difficult to follow. · Paper does not meet any of the following: Length, font, spacing, or other requirements. |
Three to four of the following are true:
· Paper is unorganized and difficult to follow. · Paper does not meet the length requirement. · Unacceptable font or font size is used. · Paper is not properly spaced. · Student did not follow other specified directions. |
One to two of the following are true: Phys 1403
· Paper is unorganized and difficult to follow. · Paper does not meet the length requirement. · Unacceptable font or font size is used. · Paper is not properly spaced. · Student did not follow other directions. |
All requirements met: Paper is organized and easy to follow. Paper meets length requirement. Correct font and font size are used. Paper is properly spaced. Student followed other specified requirements.
Information is synthesized and comes together for a cohesive argument. |
| SPELLING/GRAMMAR | Frequent and severe errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar usage, and/or sentence structure.
Errors make paper difficult to read and weaken paper by causing lack of fluency and understanding. |
Paper contains some severe errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar usage, and/or sentence structure to cause clarity problems at times.
At other times, they do not cause confusion, but weaken the overall paper. |
General command of spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar usage, and/or sentence structure is evident. Few errors, but not enough to cause confusion or disrupt the fluency of the paper. | No errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar usage, and/or sentence structure. Phys 1403 |