Briefly describes the methods used to gather data; can include a map; can include references to methods literature if used, including the course textbook if used.

Must include map and pictures of the area

The Final Research Paper will give students
the ability to demonstrate application of geographical tools and theories.
Students will have an opportunity to think critically about course materials
and their own research materials, and synthesize these materials in a way that
allows them to see the world in a different way. The Final Research Paper will
also give students the opportunity to produce a scholarly piece of writing
based on a topic of their own choosing.

The Final Research Paper should be
formatted like a research article in an academic journal. You are encouraged to
use journal articles as guides for formatting their essays, bearing in mind
there are many different ways to format journal articles.
Although components of a paper can be
arranged very differently, the following elements must be included in the final
submission.

1.
data: data must be presented in
a format that is legible, meaningful, suitable for the data type, and
consistent with the style of the paper;

2.
analysis: it is not enough to
simply state results. Results must be analyzed and discussed, making
connections to the theoretical framework used;

3.
visual representation: all
papers should have at least one map of the study area as well as one or more
photographs. Papers can also use tables, charts, graphs, sketches, and other
forms of visual representation that contribute to data presentation and
analysis.

The Final Research Paper should include the
following sections clearly identified using headings. Please note that sections
do not have to use these titles; they can be more imaginative and descriptive.
Please also note that different sections might be combined depending on the
style and flow of the report:

1.
Introduction: describes the
research topic; may include a map; should include a research question or
problem statement, as well as an argument; should indicate briefly the theory
being used; should set up the rest of the paper.

2.
Methods: briefly describes the
methods used to gather data; can include a map; can include references to
methods literature if used, including the course textbook if used.

3.
Theory: includes a discussion
of the theoretical lens used and a review of the literature used for the study;
links the theory to the research question.

4.
Results: describes the
observations made (tables, charts, and diagrams can be included as necessary).

5.
Analysis and discussion: link
results to the theory in a scholarly way that helps the reader to understand
the phenomena being studied; may challenge existing literature and propose
something new.

6.
Conclusion: briefly restates
what the essay did and points to what other interesting work could be done; may
include limitations; elegantly concludes the paper.

Evaluation

Part E will be marked in its entirety out
of 100. The following rubric indicates the criteria students are to adhere to,
and their relative weights to the assignment overall.

Activity/Competencies Demonstrated
1. Presentation and Organization
a.
all submission requirements are properly developed and well-organized.

b.
the report is well-organized, flows well, and uses headings where appropriate.

2.
Critical Thinking and Analysis
a.
the topic and research approach is geographical and sufficient in scope.

b.
the selected literature is appropriately presented and synthesised.

c.
empirical observations are described and explained in a well thought out
analysis that synthesizes diverse academic and non-academic sources.

d.
arguments and conclusions demonstrate a critical understanding of the topic and
a sophisticated analysis of the research findings

2. Writing Style
a. writing is of scholarly quality and free of errors in spelling,
grammar, and syntax.

b. writing and citation follows APA
guidelines

Helpful Hints
Write essays in double-spacing; it allows
for easier review and editing.
Use APA referencing guidelines for citation
and references.
Do not use Wikipedia as a primary source –
it is useful as a tool to help focus your thesis, and possibly direct you to
find primary sources, but should not be quoted or used as a primary source
itself.
Ensure references assumed to be academic are
indeed from academic sources (for example, peer reviewed journal articles
retrieved from one the library databases). Many articles found readily online
may not have been exposed to any editorial process and should be carefully
investigated before being used as a resource. Non-academic sources (such as
newspaper articles) can also be useful but they should not be presented as
academic works

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