Instructions for Research Paper
Technical Report on Human Population Growth
This research paper should present data (facts and figures) that describe the causes and effects of Human Population Growth.
A title page that includes your First and Last Name, your class day and time, the title of your report, and the due date.
Distinct sections:
an introduction, a body which presents your findings, and a summary/conclusion;
In the report you must include an introduction of the topic, a body which presents your data with an interpretation of your graphics, and lastly, a conclusion that you have drawn from your data.
The report should be a minimum of 1000 words and You should have 5 paragraphs minimum.
Use Arial font, 12 pt. size, double spaced.
Submit your paper in the form of a word document or PDF. Hand written papers will not be accepted.
You must include in the report a minimum of 3 charts or graphs that you use to support your conclusions. The graphics are in ADDITION to the 1000 words. Again, be sure to analyze the data included in these graphics in the body of the report. At least one of the graphs or charts must be created by you from data. The data must be included in the report.
Lable graphs and figures and cite the source. (Ex. Figure 1, Population growth over the past 500 years, Source (1))
You must cite 5 credible, recent (no more than 5 years old) scientific sources that have their conclusions supported by data. Refer to the directions for the correct format to use when citing an internet source.
You must append a list of references at the end of the report using the format associated with scientific research papers—this is NOT the MLA format that is used for papers in the humanities. Rather, when a work is referred to in your paper, you place a number after the reference. That number will correspond to a numbered list of references. Title this page “Bibliography”
There is an available rubric that allows you to see how each item is weighted. The total value of this report is equivalent to one major exam.
Citation format
Number each citation within the body of the paper, in the order cited. List the sources in the Bibliography in the numbered order, so the first paper cited is #1, etc.
# of the reference followed by a period.
Name of organization that published the article followed by a period.
Title of the Article and year it was published followed by a period.
The complete URL followed by a period.
The date that you accessed the article followed by a period. See example.
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2003. http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/CAFF2003PWSecured.pdf. Accessed March3, 2003.
All Bibliography entries must include year, author, title, source. If the source is a web page, give the name of the organization that published, the title, the author and year (if listed), along with the complete URL to that page, along with the date you accessed the article. If the source is a published journal (even if you access it by internet), list the Journal name, Edition, and pages for the article.
Note: All sources must be cited, and all citations must be listed in the Bibliography.
Suggested organization for your paper
The Introduction:
Introduce the purpose of the report in the first paragraph. Summarize the topics and explain the rationale that makes the paper a coherent report.
The Body: (include your charts and graphics in this section). In three separate paragraphs:
1. Identify the total world growth and trends.
2. Determine the impact on the growth rate by factors such as social economic status, education, religion, culture, women’s rights, and attitude towards birth control in different regions or countries. Remember, state the facts as you find them without opinion or ethical/moral judgment on your part. This is a science paper.
3. Lastly, identify the impact on natural ecosystems, wildlife, ocean resources, etc., that the human population is having, either regionally or globally.
(You won’t be able to cover every point in numbers 2 and 3, so pick two or three topics to emphasize and limit the focus of your paper.)
The Summary:
In your summary paragraph, after summing up your findings, you may state a conclusion or judgement as to whether or not, after analyzing the data, you believe that the current level of growth is sustainable indefinitely, or what actions you believe will ensure sustainable human population levels. Be sure to cite evidence from the body of your paper to support your conclusions.
The graphics:
You must include a data table (properly cited) and a graph or chart that you created from that data.
You must include at least two other graphs, charts, or maps that support your topic.
All 3 of the graphics must be properly cited and explained within the body. Your explanation should include a basic description of the graphic and an analysis of what the data might mean.
Citations and Bibliography:
This should be the last page of your paper
All Bibliography entries must include year, author, title, source. If the source is a web page, give the name of the organization that published, the title, the author and year (if listed), along with the complete URL to that page, along with the date you accessed the article. If the source is a published journal (even if you access it by internet), list the Journal name, Edition, and pages for the article.
Note: All sources must be cited, and all citations must be listed in the Bibliography.
All statements of fact and quotes must be cited. Citations in-text should be numbered, in the order each source is first cited. So, the first citation is designated (1), and any time that source is cited, that same number is used. The list of citations at the end of the paper are numbered to match, and listed in the order of citation. All citation information should match APA format. Citations should be listed starting on a new page, with the title Citations, Bibliography, or other clearly descriptive title.
See Example that follows:
Here is the correct way to list an internet source—be sure to include the date you referenced the site.
# of the reference followed by a period.
Name of organization that published the article followed by a period.
Title of the Article and year it was published followed by a period.
The complete URL followed by a period.
The date that you accessed the article followed by a period. See example.
9. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2003. http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/CAFF2003PWSecured.pdf. Accessed March3, 2003.
A suggestion for the organization of the body of your paper:
The Introduction:
Introduce the purpose of the report.
The Body: (include your charts and graphics in this section)
1. Identify the total world growth and trends.
2. Concentrate on regional growth by continents and/or countries
3. Determine the impact on the growth rate by social economic status, education, religion, culture, women’s rights, and attitude towards birth control in different regions or countries. Remember, state the facts as you find them without opinion or ethical/moral judgment on your part. This is a science paper.
4. Lastly, identify the impact on natural ecosystems, wildlife, ocean resources, etc., that the human population is having.
(You won’t be able to cover every point in numbers 3 and 4, so pick two or three topics to emphasize and limit the focus of your paper.)
The Summary:
In your summary, you may state a conclusion as to whether or not, after analyzing the data, you believe that the current level of growth is sustainable indefinitely, or for 100 years, or for 500 years, or for any length of time you choose.
