Phys 1403 – Stars and Galaxies – Research paper
Please take a few minutes to read over the instructions for your research paper.
Your paper must be submitted to the Phys 1403 – Research paper
The use of generative AI tools like (but not limited to) Chat GPT is not permitted for
this research paper. For research and writing assistance please work with our writing
tutors and the library.
1. Please pick one from the following topics:
• Galactic collisions
• Hubble Space telescope
• Chandra X-ray Observatory
• The age of the universe
2. Your paper must be at least four full pages. You will be penalized if your paper is
shorter than four full pages (not including your title, header and works cited page).
Please use 12 pt Times New Roman font and double-space your text.
3. You will be writing a brief paper about one of the topics given above. A good paper
will focus on the following:
• Some context – Why is this object or topic important and interesting to the
field of astronomy?
• What is the most current knowledge in the field (if applicable)? (You will not
be able to write about everything, so choose a few important discoveries. Please
note the word “current” – you should report on the most recent information you
can find, not information from a few decades ago.)
• What unanswered questions remain?
When creating your paper, start with an introduction paragraph. The last sentence of
this paragraph should be your thesis statement, which lays out your argument for the
paper. The body paragraphs of your paper should be arranged logically so that your
writing flows from one topic to another. Your paper should also end with a conclusion
paragraph.
4. You must use at least three sources besides your text. Your text can be one of
your sources, but you must have at least three others in addition to it. Encyclopedias
(either hardcopy or online) are not appropriate sources. You can use them as starting
points and links to other information, but you cannot count them as one of your
sources. Good sources include books, magazines, web sites from universities or
NASA, etc. Be careful – not all sources are created equal, especially online!
HELP WITH SOURCES
Check out the assignment guide here:
The library has research databases in which you can search for authoritative,
trustworthy information sources on your paper topics.
The databases are listed and linked here under the “Articles” tab or on the
astronomy guide linked above.
The best databases for your project are Academic Search Complete, and the Sci-Tech
Premium Collection databases. Use search terms drawn from the topics you have
chosen, such as “Kuiper belt objects” or “planetary atmospheres”.
5. Your paper will undergo originality checking upon submission against various
databases, and you will see an Originality Report which I will be checking. Please
read carefully the final note below regarding plagiarism. You may submit your paper
as many times as you like until the due date – I will only be grading the most recent
submission.
Your Turnitin similarity score should be equal to or less than 25% in order to get
points for originality.
6. Please cite your sources in a bibliography at the end of your paper. This needs to be
in MLA citation style. Make sure you attribute information you’re using properly
using in-text citations, whether you’re directly quoting or paraphrasing that
information.
Note that a short paper should rely primarily on paraphrased information, not direct
quotes.
7. Do not wait until the last minute to submit and upload your paper! You will not be
able to submit any revisions after the due date has passed.
.
Guides are available for correctly creating your citations.
LSC-Online Library’s citation guide for MLA Style
For a Sample paper with instructions on how to format your paper in Word:
/format#s-lg-box-32137912
Tutor help with writing/reviewing your Research paper:
1. Login into Lonestar.edu.
2. Select LSC_Online
3. Select Online Tutoring:
1. First use Tutor Match to get help from one of Lone Star College tutors. “Select
Topic – English” and “Select Subject – Writing” and schedule a tutor to help
you. (Video Walkthrough)
2. If the time slots are not available, you can use “Live Help” and “Select Topic –
English” and “Select Subject – Writing” to get a Brainfuse tutor, who is
available 24/7.
8. Finally, please look at the following link from the LSC-Online Library
regarding plagiarism. This is a good source to review. Plagiarism involves taking
someone else’s work as your own. It doesn’t just mean direct copying of an entire
paper: it can also include paraphrasing without an in-text citation, not properly citing
your sources (in text plus works cited page), direct copying without using quotation
marks (even if you cite), etc. Plagiarism is grounds for a zero on your paper.
How Your Paper Will Be Evaluated:
A high-scoring paper will use at least 3 credible sources which are cited in-text and on
a works cited page. Your sources provide information, but direct quotes are kept to a
minimum. Your paper has a clear organizational structure with an introduction
paragraph, body paragraphs flowing from one idea to the next, and a proper
conclusion paragraph at the end. Your writing is free of grammatical and spelling
errors.
For a more detailed breakdown on scoring, see the rubric below.
Tips to Write A High-Scoring Paper:
• Take time to do research and to organize your notes from your sources.
Research is not synonymous with “did a Google search, used first three
results.”
• Think about what the main points of your paper are and put them into a logical
order. Drafting an outline of your paper can help you conceptualize this, and
help you see when you need to use which source.
• Get a rough draft finished early! This will give you time to make revisions.
• Submit your draft so I can check your selection of sources and citation
formatting.
• Take advantage of Brainfuse tutors online to improve your writing skills.
• Eliminate common grammar and spelling issues with Grammarly (free
accounts available at www.grammarly.com)
Poor (0-2.5 points) Fair (2.5-5 points) Good (5-7.5 points) Excellent (7.5-10 points)
CONTENT
Inclusion of all assignment
criteria:
See assignment instructions.
Student does not respond to
or elaborate upon the criteria
listed on the assignment
directions.
Student responds to and elaborates
upon some of the criteria listed on
the assignment directions.
Student responds to and
elaborates upon most of the
criteria listed on the assignment
directions
Student responds to and
elaborates upon all of the criteria
listed on the assignment
directions.
RESEARCH/ SUPPORTING
MATERIALS
Required type and number of
supporting materials: See
assignment instructions.
Citation format: MLA
In-text citations are provided
when outside information is
referenced. Full list of citations is
on a separate page after the
paper.
Any of the following is true:
• Student does not
include any
supporting sources.
• Student has
plagiarized content
(by not including in-
text citations,
through excessive
quoting, pasting in
content without
putting in quotes,
etc).
• Turnitin score
exceeds 30%.
Any of the following is true:
• Student includes one
credible source.
• Sources are cited but it’s
not clear which in-text
citation pairs with which
source.
• Cited information uses
excessive direct quotes
(in number or length).
Student uses two credible
sources and cites sources using a
consistent and clear format.
Student includes three or more
credible sources indicating
thorough research was
performed to gather information
for this project. Sources are cited
using MLA. In-text citations are
accurate and used appropriately.
Information is synthesized and
comes together for a cohesive
argument.
ORGANIZATION/FORMAT/FLOW
Length requirement: 4 full pages.
Font requirement: Times New
Roman, size 12
Spacing requirement:
Double-spaced
All of the following are true:
• Paper is unorganized and
difficult to follow.
• Paper does not meet any
of the following: Length,
font, spacing, or other
requirements.
Three to four of the following are
true:
• Paper is unorganized and
difficult to follow.
• Paper does not meet the
length requirement.
• Unacceptable font or font
size is used.
• Paper is not properly
spaced.
• Student did not follow other
specified directions.
One to two of the following are
true:
• Paper is unorganized and
difficult to follow.
• Paper does not meet the
length requirement.
• Unacceptable font or font
size is used.
• Paper is not properly
spaced.
• Student did not follow
other directions.
All requirements met: Paper is
organized and easy to follow.
Paper meets length requirement.
Correct font and font size are
used. Paper is properly spaced.
Student followed other specified
requirements.
Information is synthesized and
comes together for a cohesive
argument.
SPELLING/GRAMMAR
Frequent and severe errors in
spelling, capitalization,
punctuation, grammar usage,
and/or sentence structure.
Errors make paper difficult to
read and weaken paper by
causing lack of fluency and
understanding.
Paper contains some severe errors
in spelling, capitalization,
punctuation, grammar usage,
and/or sentence structure to
cause clarity problems at times.
At other times, they do not cause
confusion, but weaken the overall
paper.
General command of spelling,
capitalization, punctuation,
grammar usage, and/or sentence
structure is evident. Few errors,
but not enough to cause
confusion or disrupt the fluency
of the paper.
No errors in spelling,
capitalization, punctuation,
grammar usage, and/or sentence
structure.
