The problem statement: In Canada, most houses/structures tend to be built with harmful materials that can damage our environment in the long run such as concrete emitting a lot of CO2. Objective: Our objective is to replace or even minimize the usage of these harmful building materials in houses/structures.
Guidelines for Report on Library Research
For this report, you will review prior work to establish context and guidance for your subsequent work for your innovation proposal. Beyond helping you better understand the problem, the report may also identify gaps in current knowledge or attempt to resolve conflicting findings.
This brief report will almost certainly include properly cited summaries of prior work. However, you must go beyond this and take an evaluative stance on the sources you review. Make linkages between your sources and the research problem and evaluate how well the sources contribute to a better understanding of the problem.
Draft Report Due: in-class Tutorial the week of March 11
Final Report Due: March 17 @ 11:55 PM
Purpose & Goals
The purpose of this assignment is to begin the background work for your innovation proposal by reviewing sources available in academic journals, trade magazines, books, handbooks and encyclopedias, Websites, or other resources.
This is an individual assignment.
Deliverables
1. A written report
You will prepare a draft report that you will share with a peer for feedback in your tutorial the week of March 4.
Once you have revised your draft, you will submit your final report on Moodle by the posted due date.
2. The coding Matrix*
Include all your sources in the matrix
Complete all the relevent columns for each source as you review each article to help you organize your research.
* If you have another system for taking notes you prefer to use, please contact the instructor or your TA
Specs
The report should be single-spaced 2.5-3 pages (1000-1500 words)
It should be in IEEE format (inlcuding use of headings, citations, etc.)
Use TImes New Roman 12 pt. font
You must refer to a minimum of 8 sources
At least three of these should be academic sources (academic journals)
It should be presented in the following format:
Title
Use a title that clearly identifies the focus of the report on library research. (Be brief, but precise.)
Introduction
• Establish context for the problem you are researching.
• Define key terms (if necessary).
• Include a clear statement of purpose that establishes the scope and goals of the report.
• Provide a “road map” indicating the order in which you approach ideas in the body of the report.
Body
• Categorize your sources according to the contribution they make to understanding the problem.
• Develop your arguments in paragraph form.
• For clarity, present and elaborate upon only one main idea in each paragraph.
• Tie the content of sources that you review to the scope and focus established in the introduction. (i.e., Establish why given sources are relevant to understanding the problem.)
• Identify gaps/unknowns/conflicts in the body of knowledge
• Use transitions to signal the progression of ideas.
• You may integrate diagrams, charts or images (with references) to help the reader understand your ideas. (optional) – these do not count as part of the page total.
Conclusion
• In general terms, restate the key findings from the review.
• Suggest directions for future research (based on sources reviewed) or recommendations for action.
• Do not introduce new ideas in the conclusion.
Criteria
Your literature review will be graded based on
1) sound organization
2) clear and precise expression
3) logical coherence of your ideas
Grading Rubric:
TITLE
Clearly and precisely represents the focus of report
INTRODUCTION
Provides sufficient context to the problem and establishes its significance
Presents a challenge or gap in knowledge
Clearly asserts the aims of the report
DISCUSSION
Categorizes sources according to contributions they make to understanding the problem
Provides paraphrases/summaries of sources
Critically evaluates usefulness of sources (moving beyond summary)
Presents arguments in thematically unified paragraphs
CONCLUSION
Restates key take-aways from the library research, including unanswered questions
SOURCES
Includes at least eight sources (current, authoritative, non-biased, directly relevant)
Properly cites sources in IEEE citation style
ORGANISATION AND STYLE
Is concise
Is coherent and cohesive
Is free of grammar and spelling errors
Is within word limits
