Research Paper FAQ

What resources are available to help me with my research paper?

• The most important way to begin to accomplish this task is to start collecting resources and reading. The University Library can help you find library resources and offers a workshop that will help you create a bibliography and manage your information. Watch for announcements and attend a workshop or contact a Reference Librarian. Also check out their website for helpful information. Their workshop also includes an overview of APA formatting style.
  
  
• Use the Thesis Template [Microsoft Word format]
  
  
• Susan Greene is a UW-Stout employee that can help you with the statistical pieces of your research project and paper.
  
  
• The Writing Center at UW-Madison is excellent. Check out their online handbook.
  
  
• The Graduate School maintains a list of people who offer fee based help:
  » April Pierson (Writing, APA formatting)
  

How can I avoid delays in getting my paper approved?

• Triple check your title and abstract pages for misspellings and for correct grammar.
  
  
• Make certain that the name of your degree is properly listed on the title and abstract pages.
  
  
• Make certain all of the items that are cited in your text appear in the Reference list.
  
  
• Use the correct format for references to electronic materials.
  
  
• Follow the format for the abstract exactly as it appears in the template. Include the descriptors below each line, e.g. below the line on which your name appears, include the following (Author) (Last Name) (First Name)

What should the left, right, top and bottom margins be in?

See page 325 of the APA manual (5th edition)
Left Margin: 1.5 inches; 1 inch elsewhere in the paper.
Top margin on first page of Chapter (section) may be slightly larger.
Note: Above is preferred APA format, however, 1 inch margins all around will be accepted by the Graduate School.

What does a List of Tables page look like?

You may either list tables individually in your Table of Contents as they appear in the text or create a separate List of Tables page and place it immediately behind the Table of Contents page. A List of Tables is just like a Table of Contents page. (A list of tables provides a quick reference to graphic information for anyone reading your paper.) The list of tables would look something like this:

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Title of table .......................................... 8. (8 is the page number)

The title page requires that I list the number of pages in my paper. What do I include when I count the number of pages?

The number of pages in your paper includes ALL pages, i.e., the preliminary pages (title page, abstract, acknowledgments, and the like), the body of the work, the appendices.

How long should my title be?

See APA Manual, page 10, rule 1.06
A title should be 10-12 words long.

What kind of paper can I use?

Any white multiuse 20lb. paper -- the standard photocopy or computer paper is acceptable.

In what format should the references in my reference section be?

Use hanging indent format (the first line begins at the left margin; subsequent lines are indented under it.

How do I make changes in pagination?

Making changes in pagination in Word involves using section breaks as well as Headers and Footers. Using a section break will allow you to make formatting changes in pagination to a single section of the paper. Insert a section break after the Table of Contents to divide your paper appropriately. You can then change the format of pagination by using the Headers and Footers function which you will find under View in the toolbar. The eighth icon on the Headers and Footers toolbar is called "same as previous" and allows you to stipulate whether you want the pagination for that particular page or section of pages to have the same format as the previous section.

How long should my abstract be?

APA suggests that 200 words are sufficient. Because the abstract is one of the most important pieces of your paper, you should consult the APA manual beginning on page 12 for some very helpful information on producing an effective abstract. The Graduate School guidelines suggest that abstracts be 200-400 words.

The URLs (Universal Resource Locators) in my paper and in my references appear in blue. How do I get them to appear in black?

URLs that appear in blue are actually addresses that are hyperlinked to the actual document on the web. If the addresses in your paper appear in blue, remove the link.

Follow these steps to remove the link: Select the text that appears in blue, from the toolbar, go to INSERT, select HYPERLINK, click on REMOVE LINK.

How do I change from a Plan A to Plan B Paper?

Step 1: Advisor Assignment
Complete a new Appointment of Research Adviser/Chair and Committee form (Word Document) and be sure to check the box to indicate that it is a change of research advisor. Note that you will be using the section for the assignment of the advisor for the Problems Course rather than the section for the 6 credit thesis.

Step 2: Registration
If you have not yet registered for the Plan A, or if the registration has expired, simply do a normal registration for the course after the advisor appointment has been approved.

If you have an active I or IP for the Plan A course, you can request the Registration and Records Office to change the appropriate number of those credits from the Plan A to the Plan B course number by completing a program change form (drop/add card) and have your research advisor write a memo to accompany it. If you have questions about the process or what should be in the memo, contact the Interim Registrar, Larry Graves.