Final Research Projects Guidelines

The research project is a major portion of your grade in this class and you will have to spend a significant amount of time researching, writing, and preparing for presentations. The topic must be relevant to an environmental issue in Minnesota. I recommended choosing an issue relevant to your core area of study, but this is not a requirement. I view the final research paper as your senior project in the E/S major. Thus, it should demonstrate interdisciplinary competence and the ability to apply and interpret research findings with an interdisciplinary perspective. Examples of interdisciplinary aspects to include: scientific research findings, policy recommendations, socioeconomic analyses, historical context, etc. Pick a topic that is of particular interest to you as I expect a significant amount of time to be spent on the project. Careful selection after consulting with the instructor and/or another professor is essential. Be careful not to choose subjects that are too broad.

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Deadlines and Point Distributions

Date		Pts
Nov 7	Topic Submission plus ten references	-10
Nov 14	1^st presentation – introduce topic (5-10 minutes)	15
Nov 21	Outline + 15 references	-10
Nov 28	Rough drafts accepted
Dec 15	Final Paper Due	100
Dec 7, 12	Final Presentations	35

What I expect from Research Project

I expect this paper to be treated as a semi-formal research paper. This paper should not express your views of the issue (except possibly in policy recommendations), but rather be a compilation and summary of information pertaining to your specific environmental issue. The paper must include original findings and be organized into specific sections. Not all papers will strictly follow one format, but must include the following:

• An abstract summarizing the paper in one or two paragraphs
• An introduction that places your research into a wider context.
• The introduction is followed by the bulk of the paper, the discussion section. The discussion section should clearly and concisely detail a specific environmental issue that is relevant to Minnesota (excludes very few issues).
• The paper must be interdisciplinary in nature.
• 20+ pages in length (at least 10 must be text ,double spaced, 12 pt font, one inch margins)
• Minimum of 15 references - primary literature (peer-reviewed journals) is best, followed by books, newspapers, reports, web sites - use good judgment

Content of papers will vary, but should include some of the following:

• Policy recommendations
• Interviews with gov't officials or gov't employees
• Economic and social impacts
• Scientific research

Style

A specific style is not required for the paper, but it must be consistent and be an accepted style. I recommend following the guidelines from the Gustavus library Environmental Studies section. Proper referencing is essential. I prefer the APA style, but will accept others. Rely on the guidelines at the library web site.

Grading guidelines

List of Potential Topics

Presentations :

Guidelines for giving an effective presentation

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