Research Paper Writing Enables students to develop the methods of citation, conventions of style and organization, and critical thinking skills necessary for writing college-level research papers. Students select topics derived from a contemporary academic theme provided by the instructor and, applying a process approach, produce a research paper. Problems with structure and vocabulary usage are addressed individually.
Objectives:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Write a college-level research paper applying a process approach including but not limited to:
A. Brainstorming
B. Focusing the topic
C. Outlining
D. Performing research
E. Formulating a thesis statement
F. Annotating and integrating research using direct quotation, paraphrase and summary
G. Correctly citing sources
H. Revising and editing
I. Formatting the final draft
J. Generating a works-cited list
Most journal-style scientific papers are subdivided into the following sections: Title, Authors and Affiliation, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Acknowledgments, and Literature Cited, which parallel the experimental process. This is the system we will use.
The sections appear in a journal style paper in the following prescribed order. Please note that these are all active links that can be used to guide your writing:
| Experimental process | Section of Paper |
| What did I do in a nutshell? | Abstract |
| What is the problem? | Introduction |
| How did I solve the problem? | Materials and Methods |
| What did I find out? | Results |
| What does it mean? | Discussion |
| Who helped me out? | Acknowledgments (optional) |
| Whose work did I refer to? | Literature Cited |
| Extra Information | Appendices (optional) |
As the culminating project for this course, you will be completing a 12-15 page APA STYLE research paper. For your research paper you will be focusing on one of the major topics listed below:
MICROPLASTICS
Of the 5.25 trillion pieces of marine plastics in the world’s oceans, 92% are microplastics less that 5mm in size (Eirksen et al 2014), allowing them to be easily ingested by marine life as small as plankton (Cole et al 2013). Scientists are concerned that because plastics absorb up to a million times more chemicals than surrounding waters (Mato et al 2001), widespread ingestion means that toxicants that accumulate in animals can magnify up food webs, causing a potential threat to human health (Rochman et al 2013, Teuten et al 2009). This makes microplastics an environmental justice issue as people who eat marine mammals or who depend upon fish for sustenance are more likely to carry high toxic burdens.
For your research paper you may choose to investigate one of the waterways in NYC. While the Hudson seems like an obvious choice, any large body of water that sustains life can be used (including sections of the ocean). The Materials and Methods and Results sections of your paper will require you to virtually visit one of these waterways and take screen shots and written observations. Your visit should occur through Google Earth https://www.google.com/earth/. Your materials section should include a detailed plan of attack: what will you be looking for when you virtually go there? What portion of the site will you cover/ observe? What is the date and time of the last updated image that you are observing? and so on. In the Discussion you will analyze this data and discuss it in conjunction with the research data you gathered during the Introduction section of the paper. Your research question must be approved before you can proceed.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencenewsforstudents.org%2Farticle%2Fhelp-for-a-world-drowning-in-microplastics&psig=AOvVaw1p2p5NG5NWJY4TaZdzZQg-&ust=1587298571870000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCOi8sI768egCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
SUPERFUND SITES
Thousands of contaminated sites exist nationally due to hazardous waste being dumped, left out in the open, or otherwise improperly managed. These sites include manufacturing facilities, processing plants, landfills and mining sites. In the late 1970s, toxic waste dumps such as Love Canal and Valley of the Drums received national attention when the public learned about the risks to human health and the environment posed by contaminated sites. In response, Congress established the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) in 1980.
CERCLA is informally called Superfund. It allows EPA to clean up contaminated sites. It also forces the parties responsible for the contamination to either perform cleanups or reimburse the government for EPA-led cleanup work. When there is no viable responsible party, Superfund gives EPA the funds and authority to clean up contaminated sites.
Superfund’s goals are to:
- Protect human health and the environment by cleaning up contaminated sites;
- Make responsible parties pay for cleanup work;
- Involve communities in the Superfund process; and
- Return Superfund sites to productive use.
For your research paper you may choose to investigate one of the four superfunds sites around NYC: Newtown Creek, Gowanas Canal, Hudson River (PCBs and General Electric) and more recently Ridgewood Queens.
Your research question may consider whether the goals of the superfund site are being met. The Materials and Methods and Results sections of your paper will require you to virtually visit one of the superfund sites and take screen shots and written observations. Your visit should occur through Google Earth https://www.google.com/earth/. Your materials section should include a detailed plan of attack: what will you be looking for when you virtually go there? What portion of the site will you cover/ observe? What is the date and time of the last updated image that you are observing? and so on. In the Discussion you will analyze this data and discuss it in conjunction with the research data you gathered during the Introduction section of the paper. Your research question must be approved before you can proceed.
CHOOSE YOUR OWN- ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
During our lecture sessions we frequently observe maps of the city that highlight pollutants and other environmental issues that disproportionately affect particular boroughs. Some of these maps are included below. As a resident of NYC you may choose to hone in on one of these issues. Your research question may consider whether the government or the residents can do more to address these issues. Based on the research question you develop you will then conduct either a Virtual Visit OR a Survey.
- Virtual Visit: virtually visit sites of interest and take screenshots and written observations. Your visit should occur through Google Earth https://www.google.com/earth/. Your materials section should include a detailed plan of attack: what will you be looking for when you virtually go there? What portion of the site will you cover/ observe? What is the date and time of the last updated image that you are observing? and so on. In the Discussion you will analyze this data and discuss it in conjunction with the research data you gathered during the Introduction section of the paper. Your research question must be approved before you can proceed.
- Survey: For the Materials and Methods and Results sections of your paper, develop and administer a survey in your community. The survey should be aimed at gathering public opinion as well as informative data. A sample survey is included below. Surveys can be developed using google forms or survey monkey or any other platform. They can then be distributed via social media, text or email. In the Discussion you will analyze this data and discuss it in conjunction with the research data you gathered during the Introduction section of the paper. Your research question must be approved before you can proceed.
My name is ___ and I go to Victory Collegiate and I’m a Senior. I’m conducting a survey for a chemistry research paper regarding pollution and I would like you to help me collect data. My research question is how does pollution affect the environment. This issue is important because we all are affected by pollution and the majority of us cause it, even if they don’t know it. After the data is collected I will use it as information in my paper. Please answer honestly. Thank you.
- How old are you?
- 14 & under
- 15
- 16
- 17 & older
- What is your ethnicity?
- American
- African American
- Carribean
- Hispanic
- European
- Other
- What is your gender?
- Male
- Female
- Other
- Is global warming real?
- Yes
- No
- Do you think it will have a big impact in the future?
- Yes
- No
- How would you deal with climate change? (select all that apply)
- Don’t drive
- Adapt to the changes
- Cut off fossil fuel usage
- Plant more trees
- Use renewable energy
- Other
- Do you believe that pollution negatively affects your health?
- Yes
- No
- Is your living area highly polluted ? (as in your neighborhood)
- Yes, very much
- A little bit
- No, not at all
- How do you witness pollution? ( select all that apply )
- People littering
- Cars
- Gas
- Polluted water
- If you had the power to create a Global Law to help put an end to pollution, what would it be? Write your answer below.
