Finding Sources

Use Official Data!

Don’t just google it! Search engines do not reliably produce the information you want. Commonly, the top returns are sites that use algorithms to “scrape” the Internet for information, without any humans to check the info. Sponsored returns are at the top and companies “self preference” (e.g., Google and other companies want you to look at their sites first). It’s a mess! Your taxes pay for government agencies to collect and disseminate information—use it! Some data tools are still wonky, so published reports are still better in many cases.

For example, try out the Crime Data Explorer—and you can cite the FBI directly: The Crime Data Explorer

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Data tools OJJDP Data Tools

National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) Data N-Dash NCVS N-Dash

Writing Great Grad Papers

In addition to the many other tips we provide elsewhere on this website, here are some observations and advice from professors in graduate programs.

Grad Papers Compared to Undergrad Papers

If you are in a good graduate program, your classmates were very good undergrad students, and they already know how to write a paper. If you need some remediation in this regard, you have to take the initiative. Learning to write better, learning to make better papers, is actually not difficult if you already have basic grammar. Take a writing class (not creative writing), write papers early to get early feedback, get a smart pal to read your papers and identify rough spots. Many universities offer basic writing help. And learn when you get feedback. Don’t just make the edits. There are style guides that real writers use to perfect their grammar and style. Here are some very common errors? problems? seen in student papers:

1. In general — spend more time on the writing. Papers that you finish in the middle of the night before they are due usually reek of hastiness. Part of your education is to learn to write well in your field, even though most social science professors emphasize content over communication. Don’t brag to a professor that you stayed up all night working on a paper; in our eyes, that does not make you a hero.

2. Poor proofreading. Read, edit, read, edit, and repeat. If your paper has numerous errors, they call the professor’s attention away from the content. You want the professor or reviewer to evaluate the content. Make sure your points are clear.

3. Casual choice of words. It is good to try out new vocabulary, but make sure you are correctly using all the words in your paper. Even though poor diction is one of the major sources of humor for professors grading papers, it is also a sign that you aren’t trying hard enough. When in doubt, look it up. Don’t have a dictionary on your desk? Get one. Listen to your social science professors; notice how carefully they choose their words.

4. Colloquial language. There are words we use when we are talking (the style we use in this website), and words we use when we are writing. Tighten it up.

5. Depth. The best undergraduate papers have depth; most graduate papers are expected to have depth. Compare:

   “Research suggests that treatment is effective for opiate addiction.”

   “Research suggests that treatment is effective for opiate addiction (cite). Opiate agonists, such as methadone, relieve cravings and withdrawal symptoms. They are used to treat opiate addiction. Opiate antagonists block the operation of opiates. They are prescribed to persons who have been addicted to opiates and do not wish to become addicted again (cite)…..”

6. Meandering Paragraphs. If you have “meandering paragraph disease” think simple. Each paragraph should have one major point that you can state in a simple sentence (why not make it your first sentence?). The rest of the paragraph is used to support that point. Then move on to the next paragraph and next point. It may help to use temporary headers in draft papers to remind you what the point of each paragraph is supposed to be.

7. If you feel stressed, because your papers are not well-received by your professors, sit down with a professor and ask him/her to point out one or two major things to work on. Focusing on one thing at a time can help you make progress without being overwhelmed. We find that “the main problem” with student papers is usually : not enough proofreading, not enough care taken in the writing, poor paragraph organization, sources used are not very good ones, student is uncertain when to cite sources, overall paper organization is weird.

8. A very common problem in good undergrad papers and some graduate papers: the student wants to include every single thing s/he learned in the paper. You have to learn to cut. Less is more. Cut whenever you can. No filler.

Citation style: If you don’t know this already, you should cite sources in your papers and use a standard citation style. If the professor doesn’t tell you what to use, ask. A good one is “APA Style”, from the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA). Some use “Chicago Style”. MLA seems to be taught to high school students, but is not a common style in the social sciences. A lot of us buy our own copy of style guides (such as the APA publication manual), but your academic library will have a copy. For grad papers, you can also emulate a style by imitating references in a scholarly article until you find your way. Pay attention to punctuation, and what is italicized or capitalized (and not capitalized). Do not change the order of authors as listed on the published work. “First author” status matters. For class papers in criminal justice courses, professors are not generally picky about the finer details from the style manual. At minimum, make sure your citations in text and your reference page accord with the style.