You will complete a scientific research paper with a body of not less than five full pages (1600 – 2000 words), double-spaced, and with all references cited properly. You will have a separate title page, abstract page, and references page(s). You may want to add figures that enhance your research. The APA Style essentials should be followed, as attached, or follow the link on the course web site. Also check the attached (abridged) Journal of Geological Education article for helpful hints on procedure and style. I’ll make the full article available online as well.
I have a potential list of topics on various local subjects of geological interest, which you may look into and modify to suit your interests. Note that this should be a scientific paper, not a travel brochure, nor an opinion piece about social injustice related to disaster preparedness or response.
Keep in mind that you will need to have no fewer than five VALID references. That means, I should be able to find the reference from your description. Your textbook might be a good starting point, but is not likely to be a good reference for the kind of in-depth research you should be doing for this paper. Encyclopedias, especially Wikipedia, are not quality references, but could lead you to other references. I consider online reprints of paper periodicals to be the same as traditional references. I also find U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Reports and pamphlets to be reputable. The Southwestern College Library has many excellent electronic books, articles and databases. They also have many Earth sciences Electronic Journals listed that you may find useful.
NOTE: WIKIPEDIA IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AS A REFERENCE!! NO WIKIPEDIA!! NO NO NO!!
A general caution about the Internet as a resource is in order. I use Google extensively as a first pass to get information, but I always consider the source in a critical fashion. And Google should NEVER be listed as a reference. It is merely a tool to find information, much as the card catalog is a tool to find the location of a particular book, video or journal. Wikipedia is a fine resource, but be aware that anyone can add to or modify information in the articles, and there have been recent examples of whole articles being hijacked by special interest groups (for instance, "Global Warming") to suit their own interests. It would be better to check out the references listed at the end of a Wikipedia article to look for valid information.
The geology books are in the stacks, with the "QE" designation, and there are more related books in other areas. I may also put some of my personal books on reserve as well, if the need arises.
Please contact me if you are feeling stuck – at the end of class or E-mail are best: geolecture AT geology-guy.com. I no longer have a message phone.
Make good use of the Writing Center – they are located in the Academic Success Center. They have been very helpful to my students in the past.
Check the grading sheet to make sure all parts of the paper are present. Make sure your paper matches your abstract and title. Use the writing center! USE THE WRITING CENTER!!!
Or ??? (think scientific paper, not travel brochure, nor op/ed piece on how badly the poor victims of some natural disaster were treated)
Whatever subject you pick, make it specific. A good rule of thumb: if your subject is the same as the title of a chapter in your text, it is too broad.
Please contact me if you are feeling stuck – E-mail is best: geolecture AT geology-guy.com.
Make good use of the Writing Center – they are located in the Academic Success Center. They have been very helpful to my students in the past.
Check the grading sheet to make sure all parts of the paper are present. Make sure your paper matches your abstract. Use the writing center!
USE THE WRITING CENTER!!!