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[ex_libris]

I've been out of school for some time now, and I don't have an appropriate academic writing sample to submit with my applications. So, I'm doing some research on my own and writing a paper on a topic that is similar to what I would like to research in depth if I'm accepted to a program in the social sciences.

Here are some of the problems I'm running into:
1. Accessing articles for my lit review. I'm not in school, so I don't have university library resources at my disposal. I've done OK with Google Scholar and the public library, but I worry that I might be missing some obvious sources that will make admissions committees dismiss my paper as not well researched.

2. Trying to conduct a survey and/or interviews. I don't have an advisor or an IRB to check in with, and I'm not sure if my approach is acceptable or if it might raise eyebrows. I've read the code of ethics for my discipline, but it seems some of what I'm asking about falls into a gray area (especially because some of my participants may be under 18).

3. Just general construction of the paper. Again, I don't have an advisor or anyone to run it by, so I don't know if I'm making major flaws in my writing. I have read plenty of journal articles and am trying to follow that general approach, but I'm not sure if I'm doing a good job.

Any thoughts/suggestions for how to deal with this? I'm running out of time and freaking out a little. I think I've read elsewhere on the fora that the writing sample serves several purposes: showing that you can write well, obviously; showing your familiarity with your field; and showing that you have capacity for original thought. I think I'm a pretty good writer, but I'm not sure that I can pull together a sample that demonstrates the other two points with what I have to work with.

Am I expected to submit something of publication quality, or just something that shows I could reasonably achieve that level in my work?

Also, is it worth including a note pointing out that I wrote this paper independently, or will that be obvious from the fact that I'm citing sources that were published 10 years after I graduated from undergrad?

(Sadly, I think I just want someone to pat me on the head and tell me it'll be OK.)

[smallways]

Am I expected to submit something of publication quality, or just something that shows I could reasonably achieve that level in my work?

I can at least pat you on the head about this part. All you need to do is show that you have enough skills to begin training for advanced research. It's all about potential.

What about your letter writers or other profs from back when you did your undergrad? Can you ask them for feedback on your writing sample?

Good luck.

[ex_libris]

Thank you! I feel a little better now.

I'm switching fields from undergrad (and from my master's, which was an MBA), so unfortunately, I don't have any academic contacts who could look at it, other than for basic editing stuff.

[wet_blanket]

1. Accessing articles for my lit review. I'm not in school, so I don't have university library resources at my disposal. I've done OK with Google Scholar and the public library, but I worry that I might be missing some obvious sources that will make admissions committees dismiss my paper as not well researched.

Depending on your field, you're probably getting most of the citations with google scholar, even if you can't get the fulltext.  Do you live in a city with a university?  In two institutions I've been affiliated with, the catalogue terminals also allowed access to databases without a login. 

Also, some institutions allow their alumni lifetime library priviliges.  Others take a really long time to get around to cancelling your username.  Have you tried your MBA university's library webpage?

[wet_blanket]

2. Trying to conduct a survey and/or interviews. I don't have an advisor or an IRB to check in with, and I'm not sure if my approach is acceptable or if it might raise eyebrows. I've read the code of ethics for my discipline, but it seems some of what I'm asking about falls into a gray area (especially because some of my participants may be under 18).

Sorry to double post, but I just reread this.  If it's a gray area, you need approval.  Unless you're asking "what is your favorite brand of toothpaste" I can't think of a situtation where you wouldn't need ethical approval.  Someone more knowledgeable may correct me, of course.

[ex_libris]

I'm far from my undergrad and grad schools, both geographically and in time since I've been there (so no lingering login privileges, sadly). I'll check into local universities, though. It didn't occur to me that I might not need a login to hit their databases.

Re: ethical approval, that's what I thought. I'm just not sure where to seek it.

[cardamom]

If you can do the surveys/interviews without involving those under age 18, you might be in the clear on the IRB front, depending on the subject matter. I have substantial IRB experience, so if you would like an unofficial opinion, feel free to PM.

On the lit review front, if you live in or near a city with a flagship or even large state school, there may well be a way for you to get access. Sometimes there is a fee, sometimes not, but certainly worth an inquiry.

[helpful]

In university libraries I am familiar with, even though using their computers require a log-in name, often the reference librarian or someone else there will provide you with access as long as you use the library computers. And those computes can access loads of databases. Have you tried that?

[ex_libris]

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions and reassurance! I feel better about this project now.