Guide to Historical Research and Writing

The History Department has adopted Mary Lynn Rampolla’s Pocket Guide to Writing in History for use in all undergraduate courses. Please refer to this book for tips on researching and writing history papers, and for information about how to format footnotes and bibliographies. The University bookstore usually has this title in stock or can order it for you.

Using the Library

The U of S library contains discipline specific research guides to help you track down sources, cite documents, and plan research papers.

Writing Centre

Do you need help with your writing? Peer tutoring is available to University of Saskatchewan undergraduate students! You can drop by the Writing Centre at the Murray Library (room 142), submit your work online, or schedule an appointment with a peer tutor. You can get help at any stage of the writing process, from interpreting assignment instructions to improving your proofreading skills. All tutors are U of S graduate students. Tutoring is free, confidential and friendly. 

The Writing Centre also offers workshops and other resources that are designed to help you refine your writing. 

For more information, visit the Writing Centre's home page, or contact the Writing Help Coordinator (writinghelp@usask.ca). 

It is important that students read and understand the University’s regulations governing academic misconduct, which apply to all University courses. Plagiarism is one of 23 examples of misconduct that are outlined in these regulations. Because it concerns the use of sources in the production of one’s own work (term essays, prepared in-class essays, take-home exams, book reviews, historiographic overviews, artistic or historical reproductions, and any other written requirements), a clear understanding of plagiarism is particularly important in History and CMRS courses, where such work often constitutes an important component of the course. Accordingly, every student must understand the distinction between plagiarism and the legitimate use of external sources. As stated in the University’s regulations:

“Plagiarism is the presentation of the work or idea of another in such a way as to give others the impression that it is the work or idea of the presenter. Adequate attribution is required. What is essential is that another person have no doubt which words or research results are the student’s and which are drawn from other sources. Full explicit acknowledgement of the source of the material is required.

Examples of Plagiarism are:

1. The use of material received or purchased from another person or prepared by any person other than the individual claiming to be the author.
2. The verbatim use of oral or written material without adequate attribution.
3. The paraphrasing of oral or written material of other persons without adequate attribution. It is also unethical to submit the same essay to two different classes, unless you have made a special arrangement with the instructors of both classes.

If your instructor believes that plagiarism or any other type of academic misconduct has occurred, s/he will follow the University regulations governing these matters, which are available at: https://governance.usask.ca/student-conduct-appeals/academic-misconduct.php.  This site also contains information about the appeal process. 

For useful information on avoiding plagiarism, consult the relevant chapter in Mary Lynn Rampolla, A Pocket Guide to Writing in History, 10^th or previous edition.

For more information on what academic integrity means for students see the Academic Integrity Website.

Student Conduct in Non-Academic Matters and Procedures for Resolution of Complaints and Appeals  

Students should read and be familiar with the pertinent policies. See https://governance.usask.ca/student-conduct-appeals/academic-misconduct.php

Prepare for Integrity  

 Students are expected to act with academic integrity.  

• Students are encouraged to complete the Academic Integrity Tutorial to understand the fundamental values of academic integrity and how to be a responsible scholar and member of the USask community (tutorial link: https://libguides.usask.ca/AcademicIntegrityTutorial) .    
• Students can access campus resources that support development of study skills, time and stress management, and ethical writing practices important for maintaining academic integrity and avoiding academic misconduct. 

Responses to Misconduct 

Students are expected to be familiar with the academic misconduct regulations (https://governance.usask.ca/student-conduct-appeals/academic-misconduct.php#About).  

• Definitions appear in Section II of the academic misconduct regulations.  
• The academic misconduct regulations apply regardless of type of assessment or presence of supervision during assessment completion.   
• Students are advised to ask for clarification as to the specific expectations and rules for assessments in all of their courses.  
• Students are urged to avoid any behaviour that could result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts.  Students should note that posting copyrighted course materials (e.g., notes, questions, assignments or exams) to third party websites or services or other forum or media without permission is an academic or non-academic misconduct offense. 

Non-academic offenses are dealt with under the Standard of Student Conduct in Non-Academic Matters and Regulations and Procedures for Resolution of Complaints and Appeals.

Grading

Information on literal descriptors for grading at the University of Saskatchewan are available at http://students.usask.ca/academics/grading/grading-system.php

University of Saskatchewan Academic Courses Policy

Information available at Academic Courses Policy.

Students who have disabilities (learning, medical, physical, or mental health) are strongly encouraged to register with Access and Equity Services (AES) if they have not already done so. Students who suspect they may have disabilities should contact AES for advice and referrals at any time. Those students who are registered with AES with mental health disabilities and who anticipate that they may have responses to certain course materials or topics, should discuss course content with their instructors prior to course add / drop dates. In order to access AES programs and supports, students must follow AES policy and procedures. For more information or advice, visit https://students.usask.ca/health/centres/access-equity-services.php, or contact AES at 306-966-7273 or aes@usask.ca. 

Students registered with AES may request alternative arrangements for mid-term and final examinations. Students must arrange such accommodations through AES by the stated deadlines. Instructors shall provide the examinations for students who are being accommodated by the deadlines established by AES.