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Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Arts and Letters

Department of English, Languages and Linguistics

Sta. Mesa, manila

COURSE OUTLINE IN ENGL 1023 – WRITING IN THE DISCIPLINE

Course Description:

This is a three-hour-per-week course which trains the students to be proficient and effective writers of research papers on topics related to their chosen fields of study.

Course Objectives:

This course aims to develop the students into proficient and effective writers of researched papers

on topics related to their chosen field of study.

Specifically, this course trains the students to:

(a) Know, understand and apply the principles, methods, and techniques involved in preparing,

writing, and presenting research papers;

(b) Appreciate and consciously implement the ethical and legal standards to be followed in any

investigation and formal writing processes;

(c) Present well-written research papers on topics related to their chosen fields of study.

Course Content:

Week 1 Introduction to Research Writing in the Discipline Terminologies, Importance, Factors and Characteristics of Good Research, Library Research, Field Research, Qualitative and Quantitative Research, Processes and Difficulties Encountered in Research, Researcher’s Responsibilities

Weeks 2-4 Mechanics of Writing Brief Review on Grammar and Composition, Spelling, Punctuation, Italics, Names of Persons, Numbers, Titles of Works in the Research Paper, Quotations, Capitalization and Personal Names in Languages Other than English, Abbreviations

Week 5 Format of the Research Paper Parts, Paper, Margin, Spacing, Heading and Title, Pagination, Tables and Illustrations, Corrections and Insertions, Binding, Electronic Submission

Weeks 6-7 Documentation MLA Style, APA Style, Citing Books and Other Nonperiodical Publications, Articles and Other Publications in Periodicals, Miscellaneous Print and Nonprint Sources, Electronic Publications, Format and List of Works Cited, Footnotes and Endnotes

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Week 8 Ethical and Legal Standards in Research APA Ethics Code, Research with Human Participants, Ethics and Animal Research, Risks and Benefits, Plagiarism and Other Violations in Research

Week 9 Midterm Examination

Weeks 10-11 The Problem and Its Background Rationale, Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks, Statement of the Problem, Assumptions, Variables and Hypothesis, Significance of the Study, Scope and Limitations, Definition of Terms

Week 12 Review of Related Literature Related Literature and Studies, Synthesizing Related Literature, Parenthetical Documentation, Compiling a Working Bibliography, Evaluating Sources

Weeks 13-14 Sampling, Instrumentation, Validity and Reliability Survey, Questionnaire, Observation and interviewing, Gathering of Data

Weeks 15-16 Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data Descriptive and Inferential Data Analysis, Content Analysis, Correlational Research, Causal-Comparative Research, Ethnographic Research, Historical Research

Weeks 17 Summary of Findings and Recommendation Writing Research Proposals and Research Reports, Proofreading and Editing, Copyright

Week 18 Final Examination and Presentation of Final Outputs

Methodology:

To achieve the objectives of this course, the student-centered techniques and methodologies shall be

used, such as but not limited to:

Mediated Lectures-Discussions Brainstorming

Group Research and Presentations Quizzes

Graded Recitations Exercises

Team Dynamics Examinations

Grading System:

Midterm: Semi-Final:

Attendance: 15% Attendance: 15%

Recitation: 15% Recitation: 10%

Quizzes: 15% Quizzes: 10%

Research Output: 15% Topic Presentation: 15%

Topic Presentation 15% Attitude: 10%

Attitude: 10% Research Output 25%

Midterm Exam: 15% Final Exam: 15%

Final Grade: Midterm Grade + Semi-Final Grade ÷ 2 = GPA

Consistent with the thrust of promoting academic integrity and honesty as embodied in the

provisions of the PUP Student Handbook and pertinent laws, any form of cheating shall warrant an

automatic grade of five (5.0) or Failure, besides the imposition of any proper disciplinary action.

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Only an absence of nine (9) cumulative hours or six (6) contact sessions are allowed for each

student. Each absence shall translate to a corresponding .25 deduction from attendance points, to wit:

1 absence = 1.25

2 absences = 1.5

3 absences = 2.0

4 absences = 2.25

5 absences = 2.5

6 absences = 3.0

7 absences = 4.0

8 or more absences = 5.0

Cumulative tardiness of ninety (90) minutes shall mean one (1) absence, unless prior consent

from the professor has been sought by the student.

Textbook:

Dagdag, Lourdes A., et al. Fundamentals of Research and Business Correspondence. Revised

Edition. Mutya Publishing House, 2007.

References:

1. Ariola, Mariano M. Principles and Methods of Research. Rex Books Store, 2006.

2. Castillo, Fely S. and Lolita S. Tenorio. Modern concepts on Thesis and Dissertation Writing.

Booklore Publishing Corp., 2006.

3. Cozby, Paul C. Methods in Behavioral Research, Eighth Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2004.

4. Fraenkel, Jack R. and Norman E. Wallen. How to Design and Evaluate Research in Education,

Sixth International Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007.

5. Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Sixth Edition. New York: The

Modern Language association of America, 2003.

6. Levine, David M. and David F. Stephan. Even You Can Learn Statistics. New Jersey: Pearson,

2005.

7. Manalo, Paterna E. et al. Basic Skills in Research and Business Correspondence. 2012.

8. Paltridge, Brian and Sue Starfield. Thesis and Dissertation Writing in a Second Language. London:

Routledge, 2007.

9. _______________. APA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. American Psychological

Association.

10. Other relevant authoritative online and printed materials.

Prepared by:

Prof. Elmer P. Brabante, LlB

November 2013