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Fast-Track to Research Writing Mastery: A 9-Week Intensive Course for Graduate Students

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Conference

2025 ASEE Southeast Conference

Location

Mississippi State University, Mississippi

Publication Date

March 9, 2025

Start Date

March 9, 2025

End Date

March 11, 2025

Conference Session

Professional Papers

Tagged Topics

Diversity and Professional Papers

Page Count

19

DOI

10.18260/1-2--54169

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/54169

Download Count

27

Paper Authors

biography

Shenghua Wu University of South Alabama

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Dr. Shenghua Wu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Coastal, and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Alabama. His research areas include civil engineering materials characterization, pavement performance evaluation and modeling, design, and maintenance, multidisciplinary approach to address complex engineering issues, as well as STEM education. He holds multiple leadership roles, including the Director for Interdisciplinary Center for Sustainable Engineering (ICSE), Executive Director for Gulf Coast Environmental Equity Center (GCEEC), Director for the Solid Waste Sustainability Hub, Director for the Gulf Coast Center for Addressing Microplastics Pollution (GC-CAMP), and Director for the Sustainable Asphalt Materials Laboratory, as well as the founding faculty advisor for the Society of Sustainable Engineering. He teaches a mixture of undergraduate and graduate engineering courses. Dr. Wu is a committee member for Transportation Research Board (TRB) AJE35 and AKM 90, a member of American Society of Civil Engineer (ASCE), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and Academy of Pavement Science and Engineering (APSE), as well as an editorial member for Journal of Testing and Evaluation and International Journal of Pavement Research and Technology. He serves panel member for several NCHRP and ACRP projects. He is also a registered professional engineer in Alabama and LEED AP.

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biography

Min-Wook Kang University of South Alabama Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0002-4384-7899

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Dr. Kang is a professor of Civil, Coastal, and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Alabama

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John Cleary University of South Alabama

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Lisa LaCross University of South Alabama

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Abstract

Research writing is a critical skill for graduate students, yet many lack the structured guidance and technical proficiency necessary for success. While they are often required to write, their preparation may be insufficient, hindering their competence and readiness for workforce development. This pilot study introduces a 9-week intensive course designed to address this gap by providing comprehensive instruction across a range of essential topics. These include goal setting, topic selection, the research life cycle, ethics and misconduct, AI usage (such as ChatGPT), and various writing skills such as illustration, data analysis, citation, and references. A key feature of the course is the opportunity for students to write a state-of-the-art review paper, guiding them through the entire process—from drafting to peer review, addressing feedback, and responding to comments—ultimately simulating the publication of a scientific paper. Additionally, proposal writing is introduced to further enhance their writing portfolio. Through active learning modules, students engage in discussions and share insights, fostering a sense of ownership in their writing and building confidence toward publication. This fast-track course aims to equip graduate students with the writing skills necessary for academic and professional success, with the potential for application in other engineering fields.

Wu, S., & Kang, M., & Cleary, J., & LaCross, L. (2025, March), Fast-Track to Research Writing Mastery: A 9-Week Intensive Course for Graduate Students Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Southeast Conference , Mississippi State University, Mississippi. 10.18260/1-2--54169

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