RESEARCH PAPER DETAILS
The research paper should be a 10-15 page scientific research paper, following APA format. The sections that you must have in your paper are explained below. I will have you turn in each of the sections individually, at specified due dates. This is (a) to prevent you from starting the paper the week before it is due, and (b) to allow you to get feedback/suggestions from me about how to improve your final product. I will grade each individual section as you turn them in (it is not a completion grade!). You will also receive a grade on the final paper.
Introduction
The introduction is used as a tool to present background information on a topic. For example, if you choose a Superfund site, your introduction should address a few key questions: Where is the site? How was it discovered? What are the main contaminants? Are people at risk? Is the surrounding environment at risk? What medium was contaminated (air, soil, water)? For art conservation or archeology, the introduction would focus on the reasons those fields are important and then discuss some details about the specific project. For example, if you research the cleaning of the Sistine Chapel, you would need to explain the reasons/need for the cleaning in your introduction. Length: 2-4 pages.
Methods
The methods section is the place to describe how the procedures involving chemistry were done. Each method should be described in detail.
Length: 1.5-4 pages.
Results/Data
This section is a place for you to display any graphs, diagrams, or figures that you want to present. You may also include pictures (especially before and after photos for art conservation). Each graph, figure, or picture should have a LABEL and a CAPTION. Labels should be Figure 1, Figure 2, etc. Captions should be a descriptive title or statement explaining what the figure is. This section may have a written portion to accompany it that explains the results in more detail. Each figure you present should be referenced elsewhere in your paper, probably in other sections, and should be referred to as Figure 1, etc. If you are not referencing a particular figure at all, then you must not need it! Length: 1-4 pages; no more than 3 diagrams (tables or figures) per page. Figures should not appear anywhere else in the paper.
Discussion/Conclusion
In this section, you should restate the problem and the methods that were used, and then explain the outcome. How was the problem resolved? What was learned? Did the site get cleaned? Was the method a success? You have some room for adding your own opinion into this section. Length: 1-3 pages
References:
At least four books or journal articles– Blogs and webpages are not sufficient.
No more than 3 web pages from the same basic URL (epa.gov/____ should only be used 3 times!) Be careful about the bias and the legitimacy of the website.
Remember–APA Format; parenthetical citations
Remember that pictures, figures must be cited and labeled for easy reference.
Your paper should also include a cover sheet and page numbers.
