1. Problem-Solution Research Paper
and STEM Culminating Project Spring 2017

2. The Problem? Fossil Fuels
Your task: to conduct research on a potential solution to the problem of using fossil fuels as a source of energy.
Ultimately, you are using this research to:
Write a paper, focusing on one specific type of sustainable energy that could be used to replace fossil fuels in the future.
Develop a proposal that will resolve the fossil fuel issue for a specific country (STEM Culminating Project-you know your country!)

3. Your paper must include:
An explanation of the research and technology creation that has already been conducted to develop this renewable energy source.
An analysis of the benefits and drawbacks or potential problems associated with this energy source
A projection of what else would need to happen in order for this energy source to be used on a larger scale

4. The Nuts and Bolts of the paper:
This is a research paper. Therefore, you must include RESEARCH. ☺
Source Citations (4-8)
3 sections in the body of the paper
Section 1: your explanation of renewable energy
Section 2: your analysis
Section 3: your projection
An introduction to the problem
A conclusion giving your recommendation
APA Formatting
Works Cited page
3-5 pages (not including your Works Cited)

5. What is the process?
First, focus on gathering and organizing your research
Second, hone your citations
We will walk through APA Citations after gathering preliminary research.
Third, create your first written draft
We will walk you through what information needs to go where in class.
We will walk you through how to cite your sources.
Fourth, revise a final copy
Due March 30th

6. Full Time Line Introduce Research Paper – Tuesday 3/14
Library Days
Monday, 3/20
Monday, 3/27
Tuesday, 3/28
Introduce Research Paper – Tuesday 3/14
Explain assignment, begin organizing research
Due Date #1 –Tuesday 3/21 Q1
Research check (Notecards)
Due Date #2 –Friday 3/24 Q1
Peer review #1, rough draft of all 3 portions
Due Date #3 – Thursday 3/30 Q2
Final paper due

7. Why use APA formatting?
Share references in order to demonstrate that you’ve done your research and you know what you’re talking about
Specify which information came from which source (and when)
Provide details so that reader can fact check and learn more
Cite sources efficiently without disrupting the flow of the paper
Brief citations within the paper
More details about each source at the end of the paper
Citations should match reference page exactly

8. References STEPS to create an entry:
Identify the type of source (book, electronic source, etc.)
Click on the “Reference List” tab for this type of source
Look at the example
Plug in your own information, paying attention to detail
Indent after the first line of text for each source
This is how people know when you have moved on to another source
Double-space consistently throughout
Do not skip extra lines
Arrange alphabetically
Use author’s last name
If no author available, use title of work
Basically, you want your in-text citation to match the first words in your references entry so that your reader can easily find the full reference

9. Let’s view some examples:
Basic Book :
Beavan, C. (2009). No Impact Man: The Adventures of a Guilty Liberal Who Attempts to Save the Planet, and the Discoveries He Makes About Himself and Our Way of Life in the Process. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
Author
Date of publication
Title
Place of publication (City, ST)
Publisher

10. Basic Electronic Source:
(2012). Energy Resources: Fossil Fuels. Retrieved from
Author, if available
Date of publication
Title of article/page
Website

11. In-text Citations Be sure to cite your sources when you: Include:
Use a direct quotation
According to Ms. Myers, “this research paper is due on April 11th” (2015, p. 3).
Paraphrase information
We must submit our research papers on December 11th (Myers, 2015, p.3)
Include:
Author
Date of publication
Page number for print sources
Subheading and/or paragraph number for electronic sources

12. Fine-tuning your in-text citations
There are multiple ways to cite; use a variety throughout your paper
Do not repeat information
According to Ms. Myers, “this research paper is due on April 11th” (2015, p.3).
According to Myers (2015), “this research paper is due on April 11th” (p.3).
We must submit our research papers by April 11th (Myers, 2015, p.3).
Pay attention to details!
Quotation marks around quotations
Complete sentences- you fill in your own words to make that happen- you must introduce the quotation!
Source information in parentheses
Notice where the period is!

13. 1st peer edit: Words and phrases should be clear and specific
Avoid ambiguity
Use simple language
Sentences, paragraphs, and paper should be concise
Avoid redundancy (repetition)
These are my beginning thoughts in terms of what we want students looking for. I’d also like to include content, organization, focus, and correctness of citations. What are your thoughts?

14. Formatting Typed and double-spaced Set 1” margins on all sides
Use 12-pt Times New Roman font
Include page numbers in upper right corner (header)
Include title in upper left corner (header)

15. Sections in an APA paper
Title page
Abstract (summary)- we will not use since this paper is brief
Main body
References