SCI 210 SC Energy & Impact on Global Society
QEP Research Paper
Overview
The QEP Research Paper for this course will follow the model for making decisions based on identifying
assumptions, weighing evidence, and applying a point of view, while considering the Saint Leo University
core values of responsible stewardship and community. In this course, each student will make a decision
about the viability of an energy source as a component in the overall energy landscape. You or your
instructor will choose the energy sources you will consider. The instructor will either assign you a topic or
let you pick your own topic from the list below.
The list of topics for the QEP Research Paper is listed below.
Students are to choose one energy resource from the list of assigned topics.
Topic A: Solar Energy: A Panacea?
Topic B: Wind Power: Blowing our Cares Away
Topic C: Water, Water Everywhere: Hydrodynamic Power
Topic D: Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
Topic E: Nuclear Power: Fission
Topic F: Biomass: Harvesting Garbage to Power Modern World
Topic G: Geothermal Energy: Tapping the Earth’s Heat
Topic H: Domestic Natural Gas
The QEP Research Paper (5 – 7 pages) is to be generated by each student. Each paper is to include
the following: an overview of the energy resource, the principles behind its energy generation and use,
and the groundwork for the selected energy resource that will or will not allow the US to one day achieve
energy independence from fossil fuel imports.
QEP Research Paper Components:
There will be several components of the QEP Research Paper. Each component and due date is listed
below.
QEP Problem and Assumptions:
The components of the QEP Problem and Assumptions are listed below.
Collect 10 resources (other than your textbook) from popular science magazines (e.g., Discover, National
Geographic, Scientific American, New Scientist, etc.) or government websites by researching information
about your energy source to identify the following:
a) How is the energy source currently used (production/extraction, percentage of overall energy
sources, etc.)?
b) What are the advantages and disadvantages to using this energy source?
c) Based on the identification of the problem, what assumption will you be discussing in your
QEP research paper?
QEP Research Paper Annotated Bibliography:
Create an annotated bibliography in APA format. In this annotated bibliography, you will:
a) Provide the citation for each source found that addresses the questions listed above
b) Write a brief summary (approximately 50 words) of the information learned from the citation.
c) Weed out any citations that contain no new information, meaning your bibliography should
not just repeat information found in previous citations. If the citation does not add any new
information, find another resource that will do so.
Type the annotated bibliography, containing 10 citations and annotations, using APA style guide, and
submit the QEP Research Paper Annotated Bibliography no later than 20 October 2014
QEP Research Paper
After you complete your QEP Research Paper Annotated Bibliography, begin working on your QEP
Research Paper. The final QEP Paper should be between 2,000 to 2,300 words. Make sure to construct
your paper as a persuasive essay where you critically examine the factors in making a decision on
whether or not to use your energy source as a component in the overall energy landscape.
a) Use the elements of critical thinking in your analysis:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
identify the purpose of your paper
the question to ask
the information you use to make an evaluation
the clarification of any concepts used
the assumptions you make in the evaluation
the inferences created to arrive at a conclusion
the identification of a point of view
the implications of your decision
how the core values are used to inform your decision
b) Explicitly state what your answer is to the decision you have to make. Go to the faculty website to
view the QEP Research Paper Rubric to review how your instructor will grade your paper.
c) Cite any sources used in your paper using the APA style guide for in text citations and include
all references in a list on a new page at the end of your paper.
d) Submit your final QEP Research Paper no later than 03 December 2014