Assignments: Independent Presentations

Research Project --detailed expectations for written assignment

This project provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate your understanding of Issues in Science and Technology, and how they relate to your interests or discipline.

Final Written version (15%)
Here is a checklist and a peer-review worksheet to help you create an A paper.

The final written report should contain the revised timeline as an appendix
Please take the following remarks in the manner they are intended, as helpful suggestions. They are not intended to offend, and not all remarks are applicable to all papers, but they all are worth your consideration as you prepare your first version.

1. Make up a title that states your stance.

2. Use page numbers & author name in the footer.

3. MAKE EXTENSIVE USE OF the resources you have found to provide DATA, RESOURCES, TABLES, CHARTS, DIAGRAMS, AND MORE DATA TO support your claims (defend your position). Then you can simply add a few of your own words to remark, introduce, clarify or restate, what the data indicates to support your stance! A MINIMUM of 3 scientific articles are REQUIRED to be included in your paper. I expect this will be used for the data and information.

4. You should have NUMEROUS sources to support your stance. (Having a single source, or that infamous author named anonymous, does not lend to your credibility! How do we know that source is not a "quack", crazy, or alone in their opinion?)

THE SOURCES SHOULD PROVIDE REAL DATA DATA DATA. NOT opinions.

Your opinions about your issue MUST BE be supported by data.

Provide section markers to guide the reader and help to organize the paper.

In the introduction, tell us what's coming, tell us enough to entice the reader to continue through what may seem to be a "boring" technological and scientific discourse, so we can understand your presentation of data surrounding the issue, tell us your stance and how you will support it.

Support your stance in the body of the report (see 3 & 4 above).

In the conclusion, restate your position, and deliver the final "knockout punch" making it so the reader should have every reason to accept your opinion (this means you've addressed the opposing views with evidence (from more than one source etc)

The Presentations will be graded using the following criteria:
These percentages are provided only to give you an approximate guideline to help guide the amount of time and energy to apportion to each section.
1. An understanding of the scientific and historical aspects of the topic.
2. An understanding of the cultural, governmental, legal, moral, religious and/or philosophical aspects of the topic (political, cultural, economic, and religious issues).
A clear statement of your position on the issue, supported with coherent and cognizant arguments.
Fairly present the various sides of the issue. You must incorporate the range of issues and opinions about your topic.
3. Future Implications of the issue and how we as a society might address the issue.

Time limitations require that you select the most important and significant aspects of each criteria mentioned for the oral presentation. Be sure to follow the criteria mentioned here.

The written report (Final version) is expected to be a minimum of 8 pages typed and double spaced. Use numerous figures and tables to support the text (the figures and tables are REQUIRED, but not included in the page minimum requirement).

The final written report should also contain the revised timeline.

Try to address to all the different techniques of decision-making in your report. Use all Six Thinking Hats - Looking at a Decision From All Points of View

Written reports will be graded on the breadth and depth of issues you address, (similar to the above criteria for the oral presentation, how well you make and support your argument, and how well they demonstrate information literacy, Of course, clarity, cohesiveness, grammar and writing style will also be considered. Extensive references cited within the text using APA style are expected in order to demonstrate the breadth and depth of your independent research into the topic.