Writing Assignment #1

Title: Strayer, D.L., Drews, F.A., Crouch, D.J. (2006). "A Comparison of the Cell Phone Driver and the Drunk Driver."

Paper due: 1/17

For the journal article writing assignments you will be given a journal article that you need to read, understand, evaluate, and (if possible) consider the implications of the research.  You will then write a short paper explaining the research, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the research, and discussing any possible implications of the research.

Keep in mind the following:

• You should organize your paper around a main point, support that point with clear reasoning and illustrate the point with clear examples

• You should write as professionally as possible – as if you were writing for your boss or co-workers

• You should write this paper as though the reader has not read the journal article
  

Document format

The document you submit to be graded needs to meet the following criteria

• Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx)

• Submitted electronically through Moodle

• 3 - 5 pages

• 12 point Times New Roman font

• Double spaced

• 1-inch margins

• Indent only first line of each paragraph

• No title page

• Page numbers in the upper right hand corner in the header

Grading Rubric

Your paper will be graded on the basis of the following criteria using a 3 point scale (1= Unsatisfactory, 2 = OK, 3 = Excellent)

Demonstrated understanding of the research (9 points)

• Purpose of the research

• Methods used to test the hypotheses/answer research questions such as the

  • Variables that were manipulated and measured

  • Stimuli that were used

  • Results of the manipulation

• Conclusions reached by the author concerning the hypotheses

Critical thinking about the research (9 points)

• The strengths and/or weaknesses of the methods used to test the hypotheses

• The validity of the author’s conclusions

• The implications of the research (e.g., generalizability to real world phenomena, connections with other readings/research

Language (9 points)

• Appropriate use of words (i.e., whether you use words incorrectly, awkwardly, or inappropriately)

• Paragraph form (i.e., whether your ideas are presented in coherent order);

• Paper organization (i.e., whether there are logical transitions between paragraphs; whether you stay on topic, clarity of the point you are making

Mechanics (9 points)

• Spelling

• Grammar

• Lack of typographical errors

(sifonis@oakland.edu).