Group Paper Etiquette

[daniel1113]

Let me preface this question by stating that consolidated group papers (in which a group is credited with the entire paper, rather than each individual being graded on his/her own section) are one of the worst assignments for an academic institution to assign to students.

When working on a group paper, I am usually the one that collects each group member's portion and consolidates them into a single document, as I have a lot of word processing and document preparation experience. Herein lies my question:

If I am the final editor for a group paper in which my personal grade is dependent upon, is it acceptable for me to edit portions written by other group members? Or is this considered poor group etiquette?

What say you?

 

[nageov3t]

discuss it with the person who wrote it.

if you can't reach them, just use your best judgement.

personally, I'd do it, but I was also an english major, award-winning writer, and took a couple editing classes 😉

 

[myusername]

As the editor, that is your job. If you want to be nice, you can tell your groupmates that you intend to do so. They are hosers anyway, and will be so grateful you are editing that they will likely overlook the paragraph in which you have them starring in sexual capers with small rodents.

Group projects suck ass.

Edit: not topical, but I was in a group project with presentation. The 2 other members - male and female, couldn't schedule some research around me, so did the fieldwork one saturday by themselves. They told me I could have a particular portion of the writeup and speak on it. Of course, my male partner gives his portion of the presentation, then meanders into my portion, so that when it's my turn, I'm standing with my pud in my hand, and have to say, "Well, Dave pretty much covered everything I had to say."

Not that I'm bitter or anything.

 

[screw3d]

Group projects suck ass.

Seriously.

<-- working on one now :|

 

[daniel1113]

I should also mention that by "edit", I mean more than just fixing typos and whatnot. The more group projects I have to do, the more I am genuinely surprised by the poor writing skills that a large percentage of students exhibit.

Although I agree with your responses, I just don't want to come off as being over-zealous, even though I really think I was given some piss poor writing.

EDIT: Hopefully my group doesn't notice the hamster sections 😀

 

[ChooChooChooseMe]

If its piss poor writing fix it!

 

[althes]

You have the final say.

 

[everman]

I have a big paper right now that's waiting on a couple people (4 total). I don't mind group projects when everyone can collaberate on it, but usually schedules conflict like crazy. 🙁

 

[Coquito]

Group projects force you to develop your social skills. Reason enough that we should give it our best, lest we never enter reality & are stranded in this god forsaken forum for eternity.

 

[ChooChooChooseMe]

Not eternity, just until the next power outage.