Science Research Project Writing the Literature Review Section of the SRP Paper

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1 SRP # 3: Writing the Literature Review Name: Date: Period/Block: Science Research Project Writing the Literature Review Section of the SRP Paper Due date: Directions: This section can be called Literature Review, Background Information, Background Research or Introduction. Basically, you have already gathered, reviewed and taken notes on a lot of literature (sources/references) on your topic. Now, you need to put together a review or summary of all the information, making sure to use information that pertains to your specific experiment/project. This will be typed on the appropriate pages of your continuous SRP Paper Document that you set up in SRP # 2a. It should have at least 1000 words and includes three major components: 1. Introduction of your topic (refer to notes from SRP # 2b) 1 st and possibly 2 nd paragraph of the Lit. Review section of your SRP Paper document. Introduces the topic and motivates the reader to care about this problem. The introductory paragraph(s) should very generally describe what your paper will discuss and should end in a very specific thesis statement (main idea). Introduction should be about ¼ of the Literature Review section of your SRP Paper. 2. Supporting Paragraphs (refer to notes from SRP # 2b) After the introduction paragraph(s)..these are your body or supporting paragraphs Describe what is known about the problem by citing previous research (methods, results) in the field Examine the problem and select relevant sub-problems to discuss. Each sub problem is a paragraph. You may want to use the box method to help you organize your paragraphs before you write. See diagram below. Supporting Paragraphs should be about ½ of the Literature Review section of your SRP Paper. Box Method of organizing the supporting paragraphs Get some 3 x 5 inch index cards On each card, write a sub-topic that needs to be included in the body portion of the paper. This may be something discovered during note-taking while reading literature in SRP# 2, or a part of the experimental design. Each of these sub-topics represents a part or paragraph of the Literature Review section of your SRP Paper. Once all of the important sub-topics have been written on cards, organize the cards in a way that logically flows. Each of these cards can represent one, or more, supporting paragraphs. Remember that each paragraph needs to flow into the next; so transition sentences and phrases need to be used. Introduction & thesis (Paragraph 1, and possibly 2 of the Literature Review section of the SRP Paper) Previous Knowledgesub-topic 1 (Paragraph 3) Previous Knowledgesub-topic 2 (Paragraph 4) Continue until you have covered all relevant info in the literature you have read and the notes that you have taken (SRP # 2). Last Paragraph should be a brief description of your experiment. Previous Knowledgesub-topic 3 (Paragraph 5) 33

2 3. Brief description of your experiment (Refer to SRP #1) The last paragraph in your Lit. Review section of your SRP Paper should briefly describe your experiment. Summarize your approach including the purpose, statement of the problem, hypothesis, IV, DV, control group, most important constants, and a brief description of your procedure. Do not just copy and paste your entire procedure for this paragraph. Avoid first do this, and then do this Include how your project differs from previous research. This Paragraph should be about ¼ of the Literature Review section of your SRP Paper. Pictorial Version of # 1-3 above The most general information for your topic goes first Information more specific to your experiment next previous research specific to your topic One paragraph summarizing your approach. 34

3 General formatting: If you set up your SRP Paper using the template, most formatting will already be done for you!! You will be graded on formatting as well as content 1 margins all around Times New Roman font, double-spaced, 12 pt. size of font Write in passive voice: Distilled water was added instead of I added distilled water No, repeat no, personal pronouns I, we, my, you, etc. Write out numbers such as three studies but not 5 ml. No contractions such as can t, won t, etc. Spell out all abbreviations the first time you use them, i.e. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Write scientific names correctly, i.e., Canis lupis or Canis lupis. Indent paragraphs 5 spaces. Use correct paragraph construction (topic sentences, supporting statements, closing statement). Use statements instead of questions. Proof read! Spellcheck cant fined awl airers! If you need help be sure to see your teacher before the due date. Citations: Save all citations now as you are writing the Literature Review Section of your SRP Paper. Everything in the literature review section must be cited to avoid being accused of plagiarism. Citation and reference format is in APA (American Psychology Association) format, newest edition: The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (Fifth Edition) available in your classroom or library. Everything must be referenced (cited) by last name of author and year of publication place in parentheses in a format called parenthetical citations. (additional directions are located in SRP # 2b) One author: (Jones, 2008). Two authors: (Watson and Crick, 2001) More than two authors: (Kernis, Cornell, Sun, Berry, & Harlow, 2007) then use (Kernis et. al., 2007) for later citations In text: Chaudry (2008) studied the effects of... References: An excellent source for all of your reference formatting questions: You can also refer back to SRP # 2b You need at least 10 sources. You can read encyclopedias and wiki s to learn about your topic, but these are not acceptable for scientific references. o No general encyclopedias (i.e. World Book, Britannica, Americana, etc.) o No wiki s (i.e. Wikipedia) although you can follow their links to other sources. o No more than one specialty encyclopedia (Ex. Encyclopedia of Solar Technology) o No more than 3 Internet sources. o Scientific journal articles that are retrieved on line are not considered Internet sources and can be used. Use APA style. List alphabetically by author s last name. The following are examples from the APA website. Do not include the reference type listed before each example. (continued on next page) 35

4 Use APA style. List alphabetically by author s last name. The following are examples from the APA website. Do not include the reference type listed before each example. REFERENCES Journal article: Fine, M. A., & Kurdek, L. A. (1993). Reflections on determining authorship credit and authorship order on facultystudent collaborations. American Psychologist, 48, Book: Nicol, A. A. M., & Pexman, P. M. (1999). Presenting your findings: A practical guide for creating tables. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Book chapter: O'Neil, J. M., & Egan, J. (1992). Men's and women's gender role journeys: Metaphor for healing, transition, and transformation. In B. R. Wainrib (Ed.), Gender issues across the life cycle (pp ). New York: Springer. Internet source with no author: New child vaccine gets funding boost. (2001). Retrieved March 21, 2001, from 36

5 SRP # 3: Writing the Literature Review Section of SRP Paper : Rubric Name: Due Date: Date: Period/Block: Science Research Project Writing the Literature Review Section of SRP Paper: Rubric This portion of the SRP Paper includes the LITERATURE REVIEW written in at least 1000 words with Citations in APA format, and a separate REFRENCE page completed in APA format. Leave three single spaces below the headings: LITERATURE REVIEW and REFERENCES. Possible Points 100 Self Review Grade Peer Review Grade Teacher Review Grade Format: 10 pts. Possible USE SRP PAPER TEMPLATE TO ALEVIATE FORMATTING PROBLEMS (this was set up in SRP # 2a). Typed on 8 ½ x 11 paper 1 inch margins all around page # included on the upper right corner as a header 12 font size; Times New Roman double spaced use italics for special scientific names only No BOLD anywhere in the paper Headings: center underline use all caps Example: LITERATURE REVIEW REFERENCES (each bullet point is worth 1 pt.) 7 (each bullet point is worth 1 pt.) Content of Literature Review: 60 points possible introduction to the research topic what is known about the topic previous research/experiments about the topic define unfamiliar terms overall content in Literature Review is applicable to own project brief description of own project (problem, question, hypothesis, IV, DV, control group, most important constants) how own project expands on and/or differs from previous research/experiments any unique procedures in your project embedded citations where needed following a statement or paragraph use APA format w / (Author s last name, Date). all 10 scientifically valid sources in references should be cited in the paper Correct number of words (1000 minimum) 3 (each bullet point is worth 5 pts.) References: 10 pts possible different sources (minimum) Correct APA format Continued on Following Page

6 Grammar/Mechanics: 10 pts possible Correct Spelling, use of grammar & punctuation proper use of scientific terms 10 Rubric Requirements: 12 pts. possible This Rubric name date period/block 3 Self Review Grade Peer Review Grade 4 On time 5 Total number of points 100 Dear Student: The following are teachers to see for suggestions and/or assistance for your topic idea. Subject Teacher Room Important Information Biology Science teachers may also be found in the workroom (room #: ). Some better times to meet with them may be before school, after school, or during their planning period. Chemistry Earth Science Environmental Science Physics Please make an appointment to meet with one of these science teachers to help guide you on your journey to develop your research topic, but be respectful not to interrupt a class when they are teaching. Skipping any of your classes to meet with them is prohibited. The teachers are not expected to provide a topic for you, nor will they do the research and/or experiment for you. They usually make suggestions to enhance the quality and validity of the topic idea so it is high school level or above. Music Art Psychology Food Science Other 38