IMRaD Report Questionnaire

1.       Do you live on or off campus?

a.       On campus

b.      Off campus

2.       What is your GPA?

a.       Below 1.0

b.      Between 1.0 and 2.0

c.       Between 2.0 and 3.0

d.      Between 3.0 and 4.0

e.      Don’t Know

3.       Have you ever missed a class during the 2012 spring semester?

a.       Yes

b.      No

4.       Where do you study best?

a.       In the libraries on campus

b.      In your current residence

c.       Outside

d.      Other (please state where you study best:__________________________ )

5.       How many classes do you have in a week? Last week, how many of those classes did you attend?

6.       Does your current living situation affect your study habits (i.e. how long you study, how productive your studying is, where you study, who you study with, etc.)?

7.        What other things effect your study habits? For example, you like to study in complete silence rather than with music or any other distractions.

Plan: IMRaD Report

For my IMRaD report, I plan on conducting a survey for question (1) and an interview for question (2). The survey or interviews will be conducted in my English 102 class (or through email) and the participants will be my fellow classmates. After collecting all the data, I will analyze it in many ways. First, I will summarize the most important aspects of the study. Secondly, I will point out any problems in the experiment. Then, explain any implications. Lastly, suggestions for future research will be brought fourth.

Potiential Research Questions for IMRaD Report

1.       How do you like to study?

a.       With music

b.      With food

c.       Complete silence

d.      Other

2.       Do you live on or off campus? Does your current living situation affect your study habits? What other things effect your study habits?

Differences Between Research Paper and IMRaD Report

In my English 102 class, we have written many assignments. Our most recent writing was a research paper and our next assignment will be an IMRaD report. These two assignments are extremely different. One difference between a research paper and an IMRaD report is the structure. In a research paper, you state the thesis in the beginning and continue to support the thesis in the body paragraphs. However, an IMRaD report is more structured. Before the actual paper, there is an abstract with a summary of the report. Then, the paper begins with the introduction followed by paragraphs that include methods, results, and discussion. Another difference between the two papers is the sources used. In a research paper, primary and secondary sources from other writers are used to back your ideas. In an IMRaD report, you conduct a poll or experiment and use the information that you have gained in the report. There is no need for many outside sources, which brings me to my next point: works cited page. In a research paper, a works cited page is extremely important because the information in the paper is supported by so many sources. A works cited page is needed to avoid plagiarism. However, an IMRaD report does not require a works cited page because most of the information is coming from the writers experiment or poll.

After analyzing both assignments, a research paper and an IMRaD report have many differences. One difference is the structure of the papers. Another difference is the sources used in the papers. Lastly, in a research paper, a works cited page is crucial; however, in an IMRaD report, a works cited page is not necessary. With these differences in mind, our class’s next writing assignment is clearer to me and should be uncomplicated to complete.

Research Paper Outline

Research Paper – Outline

        I.            Introduction

1.       Hook: Mention how many potential lives could be saved by advancing embryonic stem cell research. Include statistics or a quote to emphasize the positivity this research can bring to people and their family. Focus on pathos and also ethos.

2.       Thesis:  I support embryonic stem cell research because of its potential to save billions of lives.

3.       Implications: Is embryonic stem cell research safe? Do Americans spend their money on this research? Are there any success stories with embryo stem cell research? Is it even worth all of this time, money, and debate?

      II.            Background

1.       Explain exactly what embryo research is.

2.       Give a brief history of embryo stem cell research and also mention the controversy that is involved with it.

3.       Source: Roberston, John A. “Embryo Stem Cell Research: Ten Years of Controversy.” Journal Of Law, Medicine & Ethics 38.2 (2010): 191-203. Print.

    III.            Body Paragraphs

1.       The Outcome of Embryo Stem Cell Research Will Save Lives

·   Include a success story that involves embryo stem cell research and mention all of the progress that has been made since the beginning of the research.

·   Sources:

1.        “The Promise of Stem Cells.” NIH Stem Cell Information Home Page. Web http://stemcells.nih.gov/

2.       Roberston, John A. “Embryo Stem Cell Research: Ten Years of Controversy.” Journal Of Law, Medicine & Ethics 38.2 (2010): 191-203. Print.

2.       Financing Embryo Stem Cell Research Is Key

·   Without monetary support, embryo stem cell research cannot reach its full potiential.

·   The flow of money seems to change with each presidency; mention how democratic presidents have supported the research while republican presidents have not.

·   How much money is needed for this research? And where does all of the money go?

1.       Give specifics about how much money is given to scientists and how much is used to purchase equipment for research.

2.       How much tax dollars are Americans spending?

·   Conclude with the fact that all of money used is not going to waste. Embryo stem cell research is a positive aspect to science and funding will only help research prosper.

·   Sources:

1.       “Rethinking stem cell research, funds.” USA Today

2.       Blendon, Robert J., Minah Kang Kim, and John M. Benson. “The Public, Political Parties, And Stem Cell Research.” New England Journal of Medicine 365.20 (2011) 1853-1856

3.       Oppostion to Embryonic Stem Cell Research

·   People believe that this type of research is unethical because of the destruction of human embryos.

1.       Mention exactly what am embryo is and state weather there is life at this stage in a cell.

·   Too much money is spent on this research.

1.       Not enough money is spent on this research. The more funding, the more success.

·   Sources:

1.       Hurlbut, William B. “Ethics And Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Altered Nuclear Transfer As A Way Forward.” Biodrugs 21.2 (2007): 79-83

2.       McClain, Colleen. “Debating Restrictions On Embryonic Stem Cell Research.” Politics & The Life Sciences 28.2 (2009):48-68

3.       Roberston, John A. “Embryo Stem Cell Research: Ten Years of Controversy.” Journal Of Law, Medicine & Ethics 38.2 (2010): 191-203. Print.

    IV.            Conclusion

1.       Restate thesis and summarize main arguments.

2.       Relate embryonic stem cell research to audience. Use pathos.

·   Example: With embryonic stem cell research, your close relative can be saved from there thought to be “terminal” disease.

·   Embryonic Stem Cell Research can eliminate terminal diseases.

Similarities/Differences Between MLA and APA

The essays entitled “Against the Odds: Harry S. Truman and the Election of 1948”, by Dylan Borchers’, and “It’s in Our Genes: The Biological Basis of Human Mating Behavior”, by Carolyn Stonehill, have many similarities even though they are written in two different formats. Borchers’ essay is in MLA format while Stonehill’s essay is in APA format. One similarity in their quoting and citation is that both use parenthesis to cite quotations. Also, block quotations are the same in both formats; both are indented one inch away from the margin and have the citation at the end of the quote. Lastly, the format of their work cited page (MLA format) and Reference (APA format) page are the same. The heading is centered and each citation is in alphabetical order with all lines after the first line of each entry indented.

Even though Borchers’ and Stonehill’s essays have similarities, there are many differences. One difference between the two is the placement of the citations. In MLA format, the citation is at the end of a sentence while in APA format the citation is right after the quote. Although both use parenthesis, as stated in the previous paragraph, the information inside the parenthesis is different. In Borchers essay, most citations included page numbers and last names. In Stonehill’s essay, mostly dates or page numbers were used to cite information. One last difference is the last page of each essay. The essay formatted in MLA has a “Works Cited” page while the APA formatted essay has a “Reference” page.

Analysis of "Organ Sales Will Save Lives"

                In the essay “Organ Sales Will Save Lives” by Joanna MacKay, kidney failure is the main topic. In her thesis, MacKay states that, “Governments should not ban the sale of human organs; they should regulate it.” This thesis is supported by one main reason: it will save lives. MacKay also states that with the legal selling of organs, more people will be willing to give up their kidneys. This is one way the selling of organs will save lives. People in third world countries are extremely willing to sell their kidneys because they need the money. MacKay points out that there is a black market for selling kidneys because it is illegal to sell organs in many countries. The broker who arranges the sale, takes advantage of uneducated poor people who are in desperate need of money, only paying them around $,1,000 for a kidney.

                MacKay’s essay is well written and organized. She clearly states her thesis in the beginning of her essay and gives valid reasons to support her opinion with sources in the body paragraphs. The essay also includes opposing views; for example, this quote from Pope John Paul II: “the selling of organs is morally wrong and violates ‘the dignity of the human person’.” MacKay defends this idea by saying that “We have a responsibility to protect and help those less fortunate…” In MacKay’s conclusion, she restates her thesis and asks a rhetorical question: “Is it moral to sentence thousands to unnecessary death?”