The first source of research paper topic ideas should always come from your academic faculty. Usually the head of your course will provide a list of research paper topics and you will be required to pick one which you are interested in.

Some universities do allow students to suggest research topic ideas but it will not be a completely free choice. The Head of Faculty will need to be convinced that your ideas are relevant to the course and there is a suitably qualified tutor to supervise. This can rule out many topic ideas.

When choosing your research paper topic ideas, go online. Finding information on research paper ideas from the internet is relatively easy given the search capabilities now available. The more information available the easier it may appear but this is not always the case.

Research papers, by definition, must be based on research you do yourself. Sometimes research paper topic ideas are rejected because the research has already been done and too much information is available. Ideally basic background information should be available but information on the specific research paper should be limited.

When topic ideas there are a number of considerations that must be taken into account.

WHICH COLLEGE YEAR IS THE PAPER FOR?

In the first 2 years of college education it is common for an instructor or professor of a large class to assign a very general topics as opposed to specific topics. He or she could be reading 200 papers on the Gold Rush in California otherwise.

As a result you have more freedom to choose sub-topics and fresh, different approaches are welcome. Search for a sub-topic you are interested in and look for a fresh approach. At this level your tutors are not looking for original research but at how you gather and present your evidence.

In the third and final years of a first degree, and certainly if you are doing a higher degree, the research paper topics will be much more specific and will involve a progressively higher degree of original research.

In every case always go for something that you care about otherwise just the process of researching the idea will be a miserable experience for you. Your tutors will also be less than thrilled as your lack of interest is likely to result in a boring paper. For a tutor there’s nothing worse than having to read a large number of boring papers from disinterested students.

WHICH FORMAT WORKS BEST?

Think about the different formats or types of papers there are, and the different types that you have written. There are process papers, chronological studies, theories, surveys, discussion papers, papers that study the cause and effect(s) of an event or a behavior, papers that are arguments-including both the pro and con sides, and many more.

If the instructor has outlined the format required then use the required format. Don’t try to be clever and pick a different format. If no format is specified then pick a format that suits your style. It’s always easier to write in the format that you are comfortable with.

WHERE DO YOU LOOK?

Your starting point should always be the research paper topic idea given by your tutor. Within the restrictions set by your tutor specific ideas can be taken from any source. Current affairs and the real world often present a different perspective - particularly in humanities subjects.

Previous research papers are often available in the library. Take a look as they often give ideas on a different slant excluded in the completed thesis. A well written research thesis will explain the limitations of the research and looking beyond the limitations can provide fresh ideas.

Online look up the research paper topic ideas available and read the related web pages. Go to the online forums, there may be one one your topic, and see what is being discussed. This can be an excellent source of ideas for any form of written assessment.

Here are a few more sources to help you find your research topic ideas. Good luck, and have fun with what works for YOU!

CLASS SUBJECT RESOURCES

Magazine and Journal Databases

Digital Dissertations

Newspapers and Newslists

Blogs - There are blogs on almost every subject imaginable. Check the blog directories.

Online Encyclopedias

Online subject Archives

OTHER RESOURCES

Books - not just reference books. Look in the Table of Contents and the Indexes for more ideas

Popular Magazines

Directories including DMOZ, Google, and Yahoo, and other online sources.

John worked for many tears in insurance and finance and recently completed a degree in Creative Writing. He now writes on a number of topics including education. Go to http://www.In-Education.com for more information.

For thousands of years, there were no schools of Chinese Medicine as we know them today. To understand the development of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine as it is taught today in the west requires a brief look at Chinese history.

Well over 2000 years ago, Chinese Medicine existed within the body of knowledge known as the Taoist Healing Arts. As healers, the ancient Taoists did not make a distinction between science and spirit. They saw the human body as a combination of physical matter, spirit, and Qi (which can be roughly translated as vital energy). By focusing on balancing one’s Qi, one can develop the ability to synchronize oneself with the balanced Qi of nature, which serves to restore and preserve one’s health. The oldest book known to describe Chinese medicine in detail is the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine, which dates back to at least 2000 years BCE. Acupuncture is first described here as a practice that restores the normal flow of Qi through the channels (meridians) by stimulating acupuncture points.

As the Taoist Healing Arts were refined over thousands of years, the secrets were passed down orally and through hands on experience within a student-master relationship. Acupuncture Schools, as such, did not exist. In some cases there were families of master healers who amassed a great body of special healing techniques and integral practices. Generation upon generation were taught and, in turn, contributed to the wealth of healing knowledge. By the 20th century, there were several outstanding lineage-based styles of Chinese Medicine whose depth of knowledge and styles of treatment went far beyond what is taught today as Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The Great Divide:

Chinese Medicine undertook a drastic change in the 1950’s. In an effort to standardize a national medicine of the Marxist state, The People’s Republic of China stripped the ancient teachings and practices of its spiritual dimension, which was deemed “superstitious”. In turn, the government created a single form of teaching that more closely emulated the western biomedical model and censored much of the knowledge gained over thousands of years within the lineage-based styles of Chinese Medicine.

The resulting form of Traditional Chinese Medicine is taught today in Universities throughout China. This is also the model taught in most acupuncture schools in North America. Although it is based on traditional models of Chinese Medicine, it is only a small portion of the wealth of technique developed by healing masters and handed down during the past 2,000 years

Types of Acupuncture Schools

Today, there are roughly 3 styles of accredited acupuncture schools in North America:

* TCM schools that follow the standardized curriculum of state run universities developed in Maoist era China. The curriculum is vital, but homogenized to produce western style practitioners.

* Complementary and Alternative Medicine schools that teach an abbreviated form of acupuncture for those who use it as an adjunct to their primary practice. Primarily M.D.’s and D.O.’s may practice acupuncture with as little as 300 hours of formal training.

* Lineage-based Schools of Chinese Medicine that teach both the standardized curriculum required for national TCM accreditation plus the ancient teachings and healing techniques that require a spiritual dimension to understand and practice.

About TCM Schools:

While it may seem a harsh judgement, most of the TCM schools represent an Americanized version of Chinese Medicine that bears a growing resemblence to western biomedical training. As Mark Seem (President and CEO, Tri-State College of Acupuncture) notes in the article below, "acupuncture is about to be lost and scattered to the four winds of the health care world." He continues, "The Oriental medicine or TCM style of acupuncture taught at most schools and practiced by most practitioners (especially on the West Coast, where TCM had its biggest influence) is a watered down version of acupuncture in which informed touch plays virtually no role at all."

More to the point, the study of Qi is fundamental to Chinese Medicine. While Qi is not a religious concept, it does have a spiritual dimension—simply defined as the energy of nature that also exists in the human body. Practitioners who have balance and mastery of their own Qi will be better healers, and most TCM schools do not recognize or emphasize this.

When you evaluate a TCM school, look into the tradition and teachings of the founder and senior instructors, as well as the curriculum. If the founder is a western businessman, the school is less likely to teach healing technique from ancient Chinese masters. If the curriculum does not include some form of Qi cultivation for its students, it will most likely be limited to the western biomedical model of Chinese Medicine which does not recognize the body of teaching developed from ancient times.

About Complementary and Alternative Medicine Schools:

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Schools primarily represent an effort to bridge and blend both eastern and western healing arts. In most cases, they do not offer the curriculum that meets the national standards for certification to practice acupuncture, unless you already have an M.D. or D.O. license.

One notable exception exists, however, in Tai Sophia, Institute, Maryland. Tai Sophia Institute is a graduate school for the healing arts offering three graduate programs in Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Applied Healing Arts. Under the guidance of Bob Duggan, M.A., M.Ac, the Institute has been recognized as an anchoring academic institute for the nation’s emerging wellness system, and sets the standard in the field of CAM study, as well as an excellent acupuncture program.

(For more information on CAM, read "Complementary and Alternative Medical Therapies: Implications for Medical Education" by Miriam S. Wetzel, PhD; Ted J. Kaptchuk, OMD; Aviad Haramati, PhD; and David M. Eisenberg, MD)

About Lineage-based Schools of Chinese Medicine:

While the lineage-based schools encompass all of the modern medicine required for national accreditation and licensing individuals to practice acupuncture, they also include ancient wisdom that is essential for self-development of the healer. Their approach differs from the western biomedical model in that “The essential art of Chinese medicine is the foretelling and prevention of disease rather than the treatment of illness after it has manifested as painful or distressing physical and mental symptoms”. Their teaching is more focused on Qi Cultivation and the subtle laws of energy response. In the ancient tradition, the healer must become the medicine. In addition to learning the appropriate clinical skills, the student must refine their personal energy before one is qualified to practice.

In a study called Tracing the Contours of Daoism in North America published by the University of California Press, Louis Komjathy says, “The connection between Daoism and health in North America finds its culmination in the establishment of Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Los Angeles) by Ni Hua-ching and his sons; and Liu Ming’s (then Charles Belyea) involvement in the founding of Five Branches Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Santa Cruz)."

He further identifies all of the lineage based teachers active in North America, including Jeffery Yuen who is currently the academic dean of acupuncture at Swedish Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Studies (New York). Other teachers are active at schools focusing on the teaching of Taiji quan, Qigong, Daoist meditation, Daoist philosophy, and traditional Chinese healing methods, however they are not accredited to license acupuncturists.

(For more information on lineage-based schools, read "Tracing the Contours of Daoism in North America" by Louis Komjathy)

Differences in Curriculum:

While the lineage-based schools draw from a greater body of knowledge and tradition than other TCM schools, one can also expect to find a slight difference in curriculum. For example, the student handbook of Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine states, “At Yo San University, Taoism is a guiding philosophy, not a religion.” It further states, “Yo San’s Qi Development curriculum emanates from our belief that practitioners who have balance and mastery of their Qi will be better healers. The study of Qi is not just an academic exercise but is cultivation through daily practice, The program is designed to provide students the opportunity to heal and cultivate themselves and also to directly experience the balance and harmony that underlie Taoism and the medicine that has developed from it.”

About the Author: Lauren Stomel

Mr. Stomel has made a serious occupation in the study of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, particularly in the Five Eements Chinese tradition. As both a student and patient of Acupuncture, Acupressure, Tai Chi and Chi Gung for over 25 years, he has both a solid empirical understanding and personal understanding of benefits from the Mastery of Chi movement throught the body. However, he does not hold a Doctorate degree in these sciences. His information is presented here simply as the common person viewpoint. Please consult your personal physician before attempting a cure through Alternative Medicine.

Mr. Stomel is on the advisory board and board of directors of several Acupuncture Schools and TCM-based healing modalities in North America.

He is also the publisher of a site that gives sincere, objective guidance to those seeking advice on Acupunture Schools, http://www.acupuncture-schools.us

In general terms, accreditation is the means by which a school is officially recognized as a provider of a satisfactory education that public institutions (i.e. employers) can trust. It is a voluntary process that requires the school to meet minimum requirements that are established by various regional accrediting agencies.

The lack of one official accrediting agency creates an opportunity for sub par online schools that are trying to obtain students through any means possible. In other words, just about any organization can say that they are an accrediting agency, so potential online school enrollers should do their research before signing up for classes at a particular online school.

Sadly, a number of online schools create false accrediting agencies in order to make candidates think that they are trustworthy and established. To avoid this conflict, be sure to check whether or not an online school is accredited by one of the six major regional accrediting agencies. These include the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), North Central Association of Schools and Colleges (NCA), Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA), Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NWCCU).

If your online school is accredited by one of the above agencies, your degree will be seen as legitimate by most employers. However, if your online school is not accredited by one of the above agencies but by a false accrediting agency, your degree may not be acceptable to most employers.

http://www.onlinecollegereport.com

The fact that textbooks are expensive is well known. The prices of textbooks climbed in recent years, and many textbooks can cost well over $100. There are several ways, however, by which you can avoid paying the full price for textbooks:

1. Buy Used Books –– Used books can be much cheaper then new ones. Buying used books is as easy as buying new books, and several leading stores like Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others are offering used books that are sold by third party sellers on their sites. When buying used books pay attention to the condition of the book, and to the credibility of the seller.

2. Compare Book Prices –– Buying textbooks on the web, lets you do something that was not possible to do prior to the web – Compare the price of the books among dozens of online book sellers. When comparing prices of books make sure you pay attention that you include also shipping cost in the calculation of the price. Several sites like BooksPrice.com allows you to compare the total price of the book including the shipping, and also to choose whether you want to buy used or new books.

3. Buy several textbooks together –– Buying several books together may reduce the total price of shipping the books, as usually the shipping rate for the second book is lower than the cost for the first book. Few Book Price comparison sites (like BooksPrice) will allow you to compare the price a complete "book cart" and will let you know the cheapest total price for all the books.

4. Swap Books –– Several new sites offer the ability to swap books that you do not need any more, and to get in return books that you actually need. Swapping books is not just a way to get the books that you want in a low cost, but also to make way for these books on your shelves. Examples of such sites are: bookins.com, swapyourtextbooks.com.

5. Buy older editions of the book –– Older versions of the textbooks might not be 100% updated but the difference in price is substantial. So substantial in fact, that it might be worth getting that edition which could still be sufficient for the course. For example, price comparison of two different editions of the popular Biology book by Campbell, reveals that buying an older edition (the fifth edition for example) might be much cheaper then buying the latest edition of the book.

6. Look for international editions –– Some of the textbooks that are required for a course are also distributed in international editions. These editions can be sometimes much cheaper then the USA edition, but the content will still be the same. For example, if you will compare the prices of the US and international versions of the Biology book by Campbell –– you will find that the international edition (ISBN - 0321269845 ) can be found in a noticeable cheaper price then the US one (ISBN – 080537146X).

Following these simple rules may save you some money on your text books, thus allowing you to buy more books you really want.

Lucy Orbach is the creator of BooksPrice.com - Book Price Comparison.

With the wide range of opportunity available to obtain an online degree, it almost doesn’t make sense to go to a university or college. Of course online courses will never be able to match the full immersion that an actual insitution can offer, but for someone who is working, or tied down with other commitments, it can open doors that where closed before.

Whether you need to upgrade your education for a promotion at work, or to even just get the job that you want, an online education might be right for you. It’s generally more affordable and most importantly flexible then a competing course at a university or college.

Online universities are striving constantly to become more reputable, and to offer courses in competitive fields. Keeping that in mind, the entrance requirements are typically the same for both online & offline.

A typical online degree can be completed in about 3 years, but of course that varies on how much commitment you give to the course, and also if you have any previous credits that are applicable. One of the most important things to do when considering out on the path of an online education is to do your research! Research both the history of the school, as well as the current reputation, and if the degree you will obtain will be recognized for what it is you need down the road. There has been instances in the past where some online institutions have basically just been selling degrees, which can lead to several problems such as: Loss of jobs, and involvement with authorities.

Keep a level head on your shoulders, do your homework, and you will make out just fine!

Feel free to reprint this article as long as you keep the article, this caption and author biography in tact with all hyperlinks.

Ryan Fyfe is the owner and operator of Fast & Easy Online Degrees - http://www.fasteasyonlinedegrees.com, which is the best site on the internet for all online degrees related information.

Your high school grades, GPA and class rank should be such that when a school reviews your information they began an aggressive approach in getting you to attend their school. In order for schools to compete in getting you to enroll in their school you must have the right stuff? You will know if you have the right stuff if you…

Have taken high school courses such as higher level math, science, speech, English and foreign languages and also have taken those advance courses needed in the areas in your preparation for college.

Have prepared yourself for the SAT or ACT test for college entrance.

Have made your guidance counselor aware at your high school that you plan to go to college and desire their help in choosing an appropriate school for you.

Have completed some community work or church activities and are involved in certain clubs as an officer, band member, sports or a member of clubs at your high school. This illustrates to the potential college (s) you are sociable and able to work with others.

Talk with others, such as parents, older siblings or other adults and students who have attended the university you are interested in and ask questions concerning that school.

Done all the research necessary that provides information conducive to making a quality choice of the university you want to attend.

Robert Crawford III is an author of several publications listed on ArticleCity.com and other publishing sites. He is a business consultant,academic advisor and a PhD candidate studying in the School of Business Technology at Capella University and enjoys writing. He can be reached at robert19_62@yahoo.ca or his business website http://appliedskillscenter.usclargo.com.

The military is a great way to finance your education and acquire skills that you can apply in so many jobs. There are numerous ways the military can fund your college education. You can attend a military college, the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), or participate in the military’s Credit and Tuition Support Services.

Military Colleges

Graduating from a Military College is perfect for people who want to enter the armed forces at an officer level or for people already in the military who would like to learn a specific skill for use in their career. The armed forces have partnerships with many non-military colleges and universities that allow people to earn degrees and skills in a certain area that will be recognized by the military, but attending a military college may give you a slight edge above the competition. Military colleges are very highly respected and teach more than just academics. Military colleges are proud of their training in character. Many strongly encourage students to learn duty, honor, morality and discipline; all of which are cornerstones of the foundation the military is built upon.

Reserve Officer Training Corps

The ROTC is offered in all branches of the military; the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. Through this program the military provides four, three, tow and even one year scholarships that includes tuition, books, fees, and a monthly stipend. The ROTC is partnered with more than a thousand colleges and universities. Students in the ROTC take are full time students that are also required to take additional courses in military science. They also wear uniforms once a week and engage in drills and other training.

Tuition Support Programs

There are four tuition support programs offered by the military; Tuition Assistance, the Montgomery G.I. Bill, College Fund Programs, and Loan Repayment Programs. The Tuition Assistance Program is offered to full-time duty members in the military. Each student can receive up to $250 per credit hour taken each semester or a maximum of $4,500 each year. The Montgomery G.I. Bill provides $36,000 to pay for tuition in return for a commitment to serve full-time duty. The College Fund Program is offered to enlistees after a honorable discharge. Loan Repayment Programs Vary depending on what branch of the military service you are serving in, but all include having their student loan be repaid by the military.

Credit Programs

There are three credit programs to choose from; Military School Credits, Service-member Opportunity Colleges (SOC), and Credits Earned Through Testing. With Military School Credits members of the military can earn college credit while being trained in their chosen area of the military. This costs the student nothing and only needs to be approved by one of the 300 schools that works with the military. Service-member Opportunity Colleges is a group of over 1,7000 colleges and universities that have agreed to transfer credits between them for members of the military and their families so that they can continue studying even if they are moved to a different location. Credits earned through testing is another option for earning a college degree. Local Base Education Centers offer CLEP examinations, DSST subject series, or Regents examinations. If the test is passed then credits are awarded.

Chris Simons is a prolific freelance writer. You are welcomed to visit http://military.cyberinformer.com, for more information about How The Military Can Pay For Your College Education.

Often professors have to determine which projects to allow their students to work on in their research departments, some of these decisions are made due to costs, time constraints, corporate funding and who the liberal professor is. As each student is asked to submit requests to which research projects they want, they usually submit an abstract of what they wish to accomplish. A question, a theory or some finding that they believe they can prove doing such experiments.

I propose we build extensive databases of all the experiments these young, sometimes naïve students came up with, but were told that they could not do. Why? Well because I feel as if science is slowing the forward progression of the human species and our nation due to academic political correctness and well it kind of irks me that we are not asking all the questions and often not seeking all the answers when we very well could be. The current system is too slow and we are slowing down the innovation and research in this nation for no good reason. That is unacceptable to me and to many I have talked with who completely agree with this summation.

The current system is not good enough, it will not solve the problems that plague mankind fast enough and there are some really smart people out there who can answer the questions, but are not so good at asking the questions that up and coming college students who are looking at the problem from outside the academic cave. Consider all this in 2006.

Lance Winslow

In the past, a degree was a badge of distinction. While it still has some of the same allure today, a degree is now considered almost a necessity to make a satisfactory living. In today’s competitive world, continual learning has become an integral part of success.

People serious about financial stability will find the time and exert the effort required to achieve a degree.

Individuals who were thrust into the demands of life and family responsbilities before being able to complete college in the past were at a decided disadvantage because it wasn’t feasible for them to go back later and get that degree.

Thankfully, with the advent of online bachelors degrees afforded by educational institutions who have acknowledged complicated life situations such as job and family committments, people can now go back and finish that degree and move ahead in the world.

Pursuing an online accredited bachelors degree enables students to move beyond the limitations and inconveniences of attending a college campus, or university.

In short, online bachelors degrees afford people the flexibility of setting their own pace.

However, if you want your degree to be recognized by employers in the real world you should make sure you focus only on an online accredited bachelors degree. Accredited universities are the most prestigous. There are some unscrupulous degree mills out there who will take your money and offer you worthless degrees.

One should not assume that just because typical B.S and B.A degrees require 4 years that you will necessarily spend the same number of years getting an online bachelors degrees. Indeed, if you really push yourself, such degrees can be achieved in as little as 18 months.

It is determined that individuals attaining a bachelor’s degree make on an average $20,000 more dollars a year than those with only a high school diploma or equivalent.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average annual income for high school graduates is $27,038. However, those with a bachelor’s degree enjoy a starting annual income of $51,206.

Online learning presents a prospective future, but there are certain universities one must know to look for. It is essential the university chosen offers a legitimate online accredited bachelors degree program.

Getting that bachelors degree can mean not only more money and a better life for you and your family, but more pride and an immense feeling of accomplishment.

Discover the best online bachelors degrees programs at http://www.accredited-online-university.com

Distance learning certificate and degrees…

Distance learning is, for thousands of people, the new way to get a higher education in the 21st century.

Before in the past, it was nearly impossible for adults who had become mired in the workaday world while juggling family responsibilities to ever go back to school and complete a distance learning certificate or degree.

Mistakes of not finishing school or even attending college to begin with was a decision that often negatively impacted someone’s life and earning power with little recourse possible.

With the rise of the Internet, distance learning colleges and universities sprung up and began offering people a way to easily finish getting that degree while maintaining work and family commitments.

Getting a distance learning certificate at an accredited online college affords people a great deal of flexibility so they don’t have to disrupt their lives.

People are enrolling at distance learning colleges and universities for a wide variety of reasons. Some people just want to be able to advance the ranks at their place of employment and know that getting that bachelors, masters, or more, will put them on the fast track to a higher salary.

Others, like some empty nester baby boomers, are just going back to add fufillment and pleasure to their lives that only learning can bring.

Yet other people don’t even want to attain a B.A. or B.S. or higher. They just want to take some courses in things of interest and get a distance learning certificate, not a degree.

Many trade schools will offer certificates instead of degrees.

Non degree programs are offered at many distant learning colleges and universities, such as the University of Phoenix, and Walden University. These accredited institutions offer a broad range of courses and studies.

Some of these universities even help with job placement upon completion of studies and the procurement of the degree or the distance learning certificate.

For those who are financially strapped, financial aid can often be aquired to help pay one’s way through school.

In conclusion, in today’s day and age there is simply no valid reason anymore that someone who wants to attain that degree they never did when they were younger cannot do so now and, in the process, improve their lives immeasurably.

Learn more about online degree programs and discover a list of the most reputable distance learning colleges and universities at http://www.accredited-online-university.com