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Chapter 16
Professional Writing, Conducting Research, and Publishing
FOCUS QUESTION
1. What is plagiarism and why do you think so many college students get into trouble
because they plagiarize?
Points instructors may want to make:
2. Why do you think it is important for master’s-level students to understand research?
Points instructors may want to make:
3. Why do you think the U.S. Government has required universities and other
organizations that conduct research to establish Institutional Review Boards that
review research proposals to ensure that human subjects are protected from harm?
Points instructors may want to make:
IN-CLASS ACTIVITY
Title: Writing with Your Professor
Learning
Goal: To understand the ethical and legal issues involved in writing with other people.
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Procedures: Lead a class discussion regarding the common practice of university professors
seeking assistance from their students as they write research findings or
conceptual papers for publication. Explain that students may be paid as graduate
assistants or may be non-paid volunteers. Put the students in small groups and
ask them to consider the following questions: Does the student’s status (paid
graduate assistant or non-paid volunteer) make a difference in the relationship?
Should the student’s name appear on the publication? What is fair? Hold a
general class discussion after the small group interactions.
Point/Counterpoint (Debate) Topic
Title: Student Participation in Research
Learning
Goal: To become aware of the ethical issues involved in student participation in
faculty research.
Procedures: Assign (or allow students to volunteer) 2 groups of students (preferably 3-5
students per group) to each take one of the positions described below and
prepare a 5-minute argument in favor of that position. Have each group present
its argument. Next, allow the groups to confer for 2 minutes and then have each
group present its rebuttal to the other group’s argument. Lastly, have the class
members who served as the audience vote for which side was most persuasive.
Point: Professors should feel free to ask students to participate as subjects in
research studies the professors are conducting if safeguards are put in place.
vs.
Counterpoint: Professors should not put students in the uncomfortable position of
being asked to participate as subjects in research studies the professors are
conducting.
OUTSIDE CLASS ACTIVITY
Title: Getting Permission to Conduct Research
Learning
Goal: To expose students to the process of obtaining permission to conduct research
studies.
Procedures: Provide students with university and college websites that list the procedures
used in your university for obtaining permission from your Institutional Review
Board that governs research activities involving human subjects. Ask students to
outline (in writing or orally) a proposal to conduct a research study of their
choice.
Topic for Self-Reflection/Journaling
Topic: Reflect on the times you may have been tempted to intentionally plagiarize. What
were the sources of influence or the pressures that made you vulnerable to
considering plagiarizing, and how can you avoid those temptations as you move
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through your graduate studies? Do you think you have ever plagiarized
unintentionally? How can you avoid or safeguard against unintentionally
plagiarizing?
CASE STUDY
Dr. Smith, a counselor educator, has developed an idea for a new textbook. She talks to a
publisher’s representative and the representative agrees to publish the book. In a few days, Dr.
Smith receives a contract to sign. The contract is filled with legal language. Basically, the
contract seems to reflect her discussions with the representative regarding royalties and time
lines for production of the text; however, Dr. Smith is worried about signing such a legal
document because it is the first time she has published a book. How should she proceed?
Case Study Discussion
A good idea would be for Dr. Smith to talk to colleagues who have published many books.
These colleagues could advise her on standard terms regarding textbook publication. Dr. Smith
could pay an attorney to review the document and advise her, but that is likely unnecessary.
Most textbook contracts are standard in form and format and are not particularly negotiable. If an
attorney is consulted, one who specializes in representing authors in an academic setting should
be chosen.
SHORT PAPER OR ORAL CLASS PRESENTATION TOPICS
1. List some research projects that might put participants at-risk and explain procedures that
would be used to protect their well-being and safety.
2. Develop a situation in which a research participant’s privacy might be compromised
because the participant could be identified personally through the report issued by the
researcher.
3. Create situations that commonly occur in counseling offices in which copyright laws are
violated. Suggest guidelines for avoiding such violations.