Overview:
This assignment requires that you get involved in the
material covered in this course. There are two
options for completing this assignment:
1.
Field option: Here you will create a journal of
your study of a natural protected area, examining the issues and goals of that
place
2.
Research Report option: You will write a report
reviewing the research on a topic in environmental science.
Both options will require you to submit an outline of your
intended work as described below.
Research Report
I would like you to identify
an environmental science topic that is either of particular personal interest
to you or is a topic that might be relevant to your future career/academic
path. The choice of topic is up to you, but it must be one clearly related to
the discipline of environmental science, i.e., it must investigate some issue
that relates to human-environmental interactions. I would like your topic to be
specific in its focus. As an example, let’s say you are interested in climate
change. I would rather write about the potential implications of climate
change for agriculture, for the region you live in, on the water cycle, or for
coral reefs than just to write about climate change in general. As another
example, suppose you’re interested in exploring the environmental implications
of nuclear energy—you might focus there on uranium mining, current issues in
nuclear waste storage and disposal, or nuclear plant safety with respect to
natural disasters. If you’re interested in conservation biology, you might
focus on conservation easements, methods used to restore a damaged ecosystem,
issues surrounding a particularly endangered species. Again, the potential topics
for this report are too numerous to list, but I do want whatever topic you
choose to be specific in its focus. Due
dates are listed below.
Both your outline and
report should be created in Microsoft Word.
Outline (15 points)
·
Should contain a clearly stated research
question(s) and thesis (5 points)
·
Should contain an outline of the subtopics you
plan to discuss in addressing your thesis (10 points)
o
Note—I expect you to give careful and thorough
thought to your outline, do not treat this as a “rough” draft, but rather a
complete overview of the topics you intend to cover in your report
·
I will make comments on your outline as to the
planned direction of your report. You can then address those comments if you
wish to improve your score on the outline.
Research Review Report (100 points)
·
Background and description of the problem/topic—give
the historical, legal, political, and ecological context for the problem. 20
points.
o
Includes a clearly articulated thesis statement.
5 points.
·
Provide a thorough review of current research,
findings, practices, methods in relation to the problem. 45 points.
o
If competing or varied ideas exist, compare and
contrast them
o
Identify and explain the positions of
stakeholders in the problem or issue
·
Overall the paper should include a minimum of 5
cited references. The references should originate from reputable sources and
should be peer-reviewed. Wikipedia and like websites do not constitute
acceptable sources. Take advantage of the Wayland Library website to find
articles or books of relevance. If you have questions with respect to the
legitimacy of a particular source, please let me know. All information should be correctly cited according to APA format. 15
points.
·
At a minimum, the body of your paper (not
including literature cited or any figures or tables) should be 7 pages in
length, double-spaced, written in 12 point Times New Roman font with standard
page margins. Your paper should also be clearly written with correct grammar. 15
points.
Sources:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210429123407.htm
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210405123313.htm
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210308111901.htm
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210719143405.htm
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/06/210623091236.htm
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