GE240 Research Paper Requirements
All students will be expected to include the following components in their research project and presentations:
1. The research paper should be between XXXXXXXXXXtypewritten double-spaced pages. Use Times New Roman Font size 12 and a one inch margin. Exhibits, charts, tables etc. may be included beyond the page limit. Please remember that quality, not quantity, is the essential ingredient. However, if the paper is shorter than the minimum requirement, a percentage of the grade will be taken off the paper. For example, if a student turns in a 4 page paper instead of 5, the most that student can earn is 80% since he/she only did 80% of the assignment.
2. Be sure to review the outcome grading ru
ic. Grades are determined by the quality of the paper and the inclusion of the required outcomes. If an outcome is missed, the grade will be lowered by the co
esponding point value. Be sure to choose a topic
esearch paper focus that can cover ALL of the outcomes.
3. Research papers will use MLA format, which students are taught in GE201. No less than 3 references must be used in the paper. At least two of the resources must be from our EBSCO data base. Additional academic sources as described below.
· Acceptable sources-newspaper articles, respectable magazine articles, and legitimate organization (American Heart Association, NAMI, etc.)
Websites include:
· National Center for Biotechnology Information www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc
· Partial to full-text books books.google.com
· Scholarly articles scholar.google.com
· Advanced searches (.edu, .org, .gov) google.com/advanced_search
· Directory of Open Access Journals doaj.org
Instructors will be reviewing the works cited page to look for EBSCO resources, journals and academic sources.
Academic sources-journal articles and government documents (primarily). If a student finds a book online or a website, the following criteria must be met:
· The author should be identified
· The author should be qualified to write on the topic (PhD, MD, etc.)
· The source should have a Works Cited page, References list, etc.
· The source should not read like Wikipedia (i.e., should not be a general overview of a subject)
4. The written research project will provide the basis for the oral presentation. The presentation should take about 10 minutes.
5. Students’ presentation should incorporate PowerPoint or Prezi.
6. Students may use written notes of main concepts and points to be emphasized in their presentation but they shouldn’t just read the report.
7. Students are expected to edit their own paper and to go through the research paper checklist.
8. The research project is a very important assignment. If a student doesn’t do the research project, he/she will receive zeroes on the research project, and professionalism/accountability. If the paper is plagiarized, it will receive a zero and the student will be put on probation. Additionally, a student may not use a research paper that he/she has written for more than one class. If a student uses the same research paper in more than one class, he/she will receive a zero for the paper in one class and a lower grade in the other.
Research paper checklist:
Grammar and Punctuation
· Run your assignment through the spelling/grammar check in Microsoft Word. Please note: this is a foundational tool. This is a great start to the editing process, but it is not the final say for revision. Take the time to make sure you agree with each suggestion fix. Word is not always co
ect!
· Take the time to find a quiet room without visual or auditory distractions. Slowly read your essay aloud, taking note of how the words sound and how the sentences flow together. Many e
ors can be discovered and co
ected by simply reading through your paper.
· Review all punctuation marks focusing especially on semicolons, colons, dashes, and ellipses. Have you used the marks co
ectly? (Please refer back to either your E100 textbook or a writing lab resource such as www.owl.english.purdue.edu)
· Look closely for any run-on sentences or fragments. Does every sentence have a subject and ve
? Are there any sentences that seem to go on and on without punctuation?
Content
· Review both the assignment directions as well as the grading ru
ic. Have you fully satisfied each area of the assignment? (Ex: Definition, overview, dilemmas, historical background, etc.)
· Pull out a colored pen and take a few moments to HONESTLY grade your own paper. Where do you think you are succeeding on the ru
ic? In what ways could you improve in areas?
· Make sure that your sources are academically sound. Can you identify the individual author(s) or the corporate author? Have you established the credibility of each author?
Format and Citations
· Look critically at each paragraph separately. Do you have a clear thesis statement? Is there a distinct topic sentence that introduces the paragraph? Do the supporting sentences expound upon the topic sentence by providing explanation and evidentiary support? (Quotes, stats, and/or additional information)
· Scan through your entire essay. Make sure every direct quote has a parenthetical citation as well as an entry on your Works Cited page. Be sure to also cite your sources when you have gathered information and paraphrased it.
· Review all paraphrased material in your essay. Check your paraphrases against your original research material. Use http:
www.duplichecker.com/ to check for plagiarism.
If your paraphrases are too close to the original sources, your paper will be considered plagiarized and you will receive a zero on the paper, and your professionalism grade. You’ll also be put on probation.
· Look over MLA requirements. Do you have a header, a heading, and a Works Cited page? Are at least two of your sources from the EBSCO database? Is your entire document double spaced? Do you have an interesting, academic title?
Environmental Science GE240
Research Project
Objective: The purpose of this paper is to give students an opportunity to use the information they learned in class, critical thinking skills, and information competency skills to research and report on a topic related to environmental science.
Research Paper Topic Suggestions
You can choose one of these topics or get permission from your teacher for another topic
Global Climate Change
Ozone Depletion
Hy
id Cars
Solar Energy
Oil Spills
Endangered Animals
Wind Energy
Fuel Cells
Genetically Modified Foods
Organic Farming
Forest Fires
The Importance of Biodiversity
Rainforest Depletion
Water Conservation
Water Pollution
Nuclear Energy
Energy Conservation
The research project is based on the following information competency and critical thinking models.
Information competency: Students will acquire, analyze, interpret, and integrate information using appropriate sources including li
ary and internet resources, employing appropriate technology to assist with these processes, and understanding the social and ethical implications of information use and misuse.
Critical thinking: Students will demonstrate the ability to identify an issue or problem, gather and analyze data and alternative points of view, and develop informed conclusions/solutions.
The research paper should include but not be limited to the following information:
· Definition and Overview of Issue – Using appropriate sources including approved li
ary and internet resources (EBSCO and other academic resources) students will identify and describe the environmental science issue or problem and its historical and/or legal background.
· Using the information gained through academic research, students will gather and analyze relevant data and alternative points of view related to the issue.
· Personal Analysis - The student should develop an informed conclusion/solution/ or recommendation based on the research. This should include sustainable practices.
NOTE: Be sure to look over the grading ru
ic in the following pages. This is what you will be graded on.
GE240 Research Project Outcomes Based Grading Indicators
1. If the paper is plagiarized:
· The paper receives a zero.
· There will be zero professionalism points.
· The student who plagiarized will be put on probation.
2. If the paper has poor grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and/or paragraph structure, the grades for all outcomes will be lowered.
3. The ru
ic is a general guide. A student may get a lower grade for any of the reasons listed below. A category doesn’t have to have all of the components to receive the grade for the outcome. The teacher will determine what the appropriate grade for the outcome is based on the quality of the paper.
NOTE: If you need assistance with your project, contact your instructor, dean or department chair. English labs are available.
Grade per outcome
Outcome 1
0 -1
(Outcome not addressed)
2-5
(Poor)
6-9
(Needs Improvement)
10-13
(Unsatisfactory)
14-17
(Satisfactory)
18-20
(Excellent)
Demonstrate written and ve
al competence: Students will use appropriate language, grammar, punctuation, conventions, organization, supporting evidence, and content to effectively communicate ve
ally and in writing for the intended purpose and audience.
Poorly organized. No Thesis.
Paper was not written in a cohesive manner. There was little to no logic.
There was no paragraph or sentence structure.
There were many grammatical e
ors.
Failed to participate in presentation.
There are no citations.
Paper was poorly written.
The research project was not well organized. There was not a clear thesis.
There was some logic although it was not always clear or cohesive.
There was an inadequate use of language, syntax, sentence variety, and there were numerous grammatical e
ors.
Citations were not used adequately.
The research project was not very well organized. There was a thesis but it was not adequately stated or supported.
The paper had significant portions that were challenging to read.
There was an inadequate use of language, syntax, sentence variety in the paper and presentation.
There were more than 8 grammatical e
ors.
There were some citations.
The thesis statement was not clearly written.
The research project was organized in a way that was somewhat clear. There was a thesis although it was not always supported in a clear way.
The paper was not always easy to read.
There was an inadequate use of language, syntax, sentence variety in the paper and presentation.
There were between 5 – 8 grammatical e
ors.
Citations were used but not always co
ectly
The paper had a clear, thesis statement.
The research project was organized in a way that logically and clearly supports the thesis and purpose.
Most paragraphs had clear topic sentences and related supporting sentences.
The paper was typewritten, neat and easy to read.
There were a less than 5 grammatical and/or spelling e
ors.
Generalizations were supported with evidence, including specific details and concrete examples.
There was a good