This section includes two writing samples. One is from the EAP 508 course and the other is from the PROV 504 course.
A writing sample from the EAP 508 course
This is a summary of paper Commentary: whither VGI?, which is written by Goodchild, M. F. in 2008. This paper is a comment of the increasing volunteered geographic information. In this article, Goodchild talks about the types of the VGI data and the access to information. In the end, he gives positively evaluation to the VGI phenomenon in future development. This sample is chosen because the paper is quite relevant to my study interest and it demonstrates the summary ability of me when reading an academic article. I focus on the properties of volunteered geographic information. Some scholars point out the issues of it, while others put forward a potential solution for these disadvantages. By reading papers of volunteered geographic information, I try to make connections among the materials and give out a clearly outline of both issues and potential solutions for further study.
Summary
This paper written by Goodchild gives a commentary to the volunteered geographic information. He discovers the gaps of traditional geographic information production, which is very expensive to acquire, compile, print and disseminate. Besides, only a few agencies could approach to the traditional geographic information. With the developing of geographic information in recent years, geographic information contributed by volunteered will be an efficient way to conquer the limitation of traditional geographic information collecting process. In this paper, Goodchild introduces some types of Volunteered Geographic Information like gazetteers, Wikimapia and OpenStreetMap to the readers and talk about the advantages of Volunteered Geographic Information in future development. Goodchild in this paper gives out a very interesting perspective that map-making doesn’t require expertise. With the fast development of geographic information technologies in recent years, tools for map-making become more intelligent. Users don’t need to be experts in GIS field, because most design decisions have been setted default in software.
When referring to OpenStreetMap, Goodchild gives a brief introduction to us about how quality control for OpenStreetMap. The entries created by volunteers need to be matched with entries created by others. This process contains some degree of quality control. In the end, Goodchild also points out the long-term effort of Volunteered Geographic Information to us. Volunteered Geographic Information is more up to date and errors made by other volunteered could be corrected quickly. The social meaning of Volunteered Geographic Information is to not only invite citizens to provide specific kinds of geographic information, also get greater relevant geographic understanding, to understand the whole world.
Critique
This article written by Goodchild gives me a better understanding of Volunteered Geographic Information. The gaps of traditional geographic information collecting process could be illustrate in my project to answer the question why Volunteered Geographic Information attracts scholars’ attentions in recent years. Besides, the perspective that in future, there will be no distinction between expert and non-expert for making map is very interesting. It totally overturns the traditional thought of map making. It is really a big chance in geographic field. And this perspective could be authoring in my own project as a positive evaluation for the credibility issue of Volunteered Geographic Information. Additionally, Goodchild mentions how quality control for OpenStreetMap in his article. He gives a potential solution for this issue and other scholars could follow this thought for further study. I think I could put this in the potential solution for quality control after introducing the limitations of Volunteered Geographic Information in my project. After read two articles written by Goodchild, I think his articles often give out unique thoughts for the development of Volunteered Geographic Information, but don’t refer many specific explanations to solve issues in Volunteered Geographic Information. I may try to find some more articles which gives more detailed explanations. The spirit Goodchild states in the end of this article I am totally agree with. All the efforts scholars make in Volunteered Geographic Information field is not just collecting information, managing information. We want citizens could get access to geographic information and make distinctive use, then the whole humans could get better understanding of world we live.
A writing sample from the PROV 504 course
This writing sample is from PROV 504, which talks about the issue of plagiarism. Through the research of why students plagiarize in their study and how to avoid unintentional plagiarism, I get a better understanding of different definitions of plagiarism between different cultures and notice some potential reasons for international students who plagiarize in their work. In the end of this paper, I give some suggestions for university to decrease the plagiarism phenomenon of international students.
A research of plagiarism
Plagiarism is a serious misbehavior that using other writers’ words or ideas in one’s article then pretend that it is his/her own work. Since intellectual property is one type of individual’s properties, which is the fruit of one’s intelligent labor, it should be under protection. Using others’ work without referencing is a kind of stealing. Because of severe punishment, students are not dare to offend the rules. Nevertheless, there are still some situations in which students may cross the line. In this article I will talk about the reasons of plagiarism and how can we avoid that phenomenon.
Why do students plagiarize? Hjortshoj supposes that those students “attempt to deceive teachers, avoid work, and gain unfair advantage over other students”. (Hjortshoj, 2001). This perspective may be common among most students. However, for international students, the reason is a little different. According to some international students who have been charged for plagiarism, they argue that they are not realized that their behavior is kind of plagiarism at that time. International students have a different definition of plagiarism. In most Asian countries, the more you write as the teacher mentioned in books or in lecture slides, the better scores you will earn. Because teacher prefers those students who can recite much knowledge as they say in many non-western countries, there is not a problem for students to copy what teachers writing in books or referring in classes. Additionally, in the article why many international students get a failing grade in academic integrity, James Bradshaw and Tamara Baluja refer to a case that some international students plagiarize because of their poor writing ability of English. They are trying to express thoughts accurately but always have trouble in finding the exact words. When those students see the correct uses in other’s article, they tend to use other’s words instead of themselves immediately. (Bradshaw & Baluja, 2012)
How can we decrease the phenomenon of plagiarism? Jonathan Malesic says the efficient way to avoid plagiarism is to heavily punish the dishonest students (Malesic, 2006). It may be a good method for those students who are lazy but aims high. However, it still cannot solve problem for international students. James Bradshaw and Tamara Baluja mention that some universities take short online quiz for new students before register (Bradshaw & Baluja, 2012). However, considering it is just a little test, many students do not pay enough attention to the questions. They slip questions quickly and even choose an answer without look at the question carefully. In my view, let international students learn the seriousness of plagiarism in one class is very important. They need to study lectures, read relevant articles, and write a paper about research of plagiarism to show how they understand the concept of western plagiarism. It is very useful for international students to clear the principle of what western plagiarism is and follow the rules. What’s more, it is very necessary to improve English writing ability for international students. There is a lot of ways. They can attend the writing workshop, get feedback from professors and seek help from friends who are native speakers.
Plagiarism as a serious issue for students, especially for international students with weak English abilities, is needed to be pay more attention during study process. I consider that the key point for international students to avoid plagiarism is continuing improving English abilities. They need to improve the ability to fully express their thought without copy others words.
References
Malesic, J. (2006). How Dumb Do They Think We Are?. Chronicle of Higher Education, 53(9).
Bradshaw, J., & Baluja, T. (2012). Why many international students get a failing grade in academic integrity – The Globe and Mail. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
Hjortshoj, K. (2009). The transition to college writing. Bedford/St. Martins.