Earth Science Research Project: Climate Change
Project 3: 3rd Quarter
Students will write a 3 to 4 page research paper which will include 5 references (minimum). This paper
will be turned in on www.turnitin.com
Overview:
This research will analyze and address the following questions: How has the climate changed throughout
the world over the past 100 years? If data shows climate has been changing, what variables may
potentially be causing these changes to occur?
The paper should address the following:
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HISTORY
What is climate change and how long has climate change been studied throughout history?
What were some of the earliest signs of climate change that humans used to support the
theory of climate changing?
CAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Research and describe at LEAST 3 different factors worldwide that may contribute to
climate change
CURRENT DATA ON CLIMATE CHANGE
What type of data is presently available that shows global evidence of climate change?
(Current meaning studies done and technology being used in the past 3 years to analyze
climate)
YOU MAY include graphs in the paper, however, they do not contribute to the requirements
for pages and words in your essay.
CONCLUSION
Based on research completed, has climate been changing, if so, what environmental factors
have contributed to these changes over the past 100 years? If your research shows that
climate is not changing, what are the scientific reasons that climate is not changing?
This should not be an opinion conclusion: simply base your conclusion on the data you find.
** We will go over each of the above topics in class before beginning the research paper to provide you
adequate background information. A PowerPoint will be presented in class providing more information
and will also be posted on class website for review. The PowerPoint SHOULD NOT be used as a source.
Useful Resources
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http://climate.nasa.gov/
http://data.worldbank.org/topic/climate-change
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/indicators/
https://www.climate.gov/
Research Paper Guidelines
Formatting (5%)
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Times New Roman, 12pt font, double-spaced with 1’’ margins on all sides
No spaces between paragraphs, indent paragraphs 5 spaces, AT LEAST 500 words.
Writing Style (10%)
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Write in passive voice (no use of “I, we, they, etc.)
Write out numbers under 10 (ex. seven, eight, nine, 10)
No contractions such as: can’t, won’t, shouldn’t
Spell all abbreviations out the first time you use them, i.e. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA)
● Correct paragraph construction (topic sentences, body, closing statements)
Sections of Paper (60%)
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Introduction (addresses topic that will be discussed in research paper - Introduces reader to
subject)
Body (provides detailed information about topic being addressed - Should be written in a way
that a non-informed reader can easily learn and understand the content)
Conclusion (summarizes main points of research)
o Sample layout for research paper
▪ Introduction
▪ History
▪ Cause of climate change
▪ Current data on climate change
▪ Conclusion/ results
Reference Page and Citations (15%)
Citations should be used instead of any type of footnote or endnote. The citation should be located at
the end of a sentence or paragraph and should be in the following form (Author, year).
All sources used and cited within your background research should be included in an
alphabetical order (NOT numbered). The first line of an entry is NOT indented; the second and all other
lines are indented. You must have 10 sources APA style (6 Edition). You may use the following website
for additional information regarding APA style referencing:
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http://www.apastyle.org/learn/quick-guide-on-references.aspx
Examples:
Fine, M. A., & Kurdek, L. A. (1993). Reflections on determining authorship credit and authorship order on
faculty-student collaborations. American Psychologist, 48, 1141–1147.
Nicol, A. A. M., & Pexman, P. M. (1999). Presenting your findings: A practical guide for creating tables.
Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
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. 107-123). New
York: Springer.
New
child vaccine gets funding boost. (2001). Retrieved
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/health/story_13178.asp.
March
21,
2001,
from
Rubric Guidelines
Category
4
3
2
1
Formatting
requirements listed
on 1st page of this
document were
followed with only 23 errors
Formatting guidelines
were followed
somewhat. 5-10
formatting errors
FORMATTING
10%
Formatting
requirements
listed on 1st page
of this document
were followed
directly throughout
paper/ no
formatting
mistakes
Student formatted paper
consistently but did not
use guidelines listed on
the first page of the
document.
Student followed
writing style
guidelines
accurately
throughout
document. No
mistakes.
Writing style
guidelines listed on
1st page of this
document were
followed with only 23 errors
Writing style
guidelines were
followed somewhat. 510 style errors
Did not follow guidelines
listed on first page of
document for writing
style.
Student properly
included an
introduction, body,
and conclusion.
Students included
all criteria required
to be included in
the research.
Student properly
included an
introduction, body,
and conclusion.
Students included
most criteria
required to be in
research. Student
Student properly
included an
introduction, body, and
conclusion. Students
included most criteria
required to be in
research. Student left
Student did not properly
or clearly layout an
introduction, body, and
conclusion in document.
Document runs together.
Student did not included
5-7 pieces of required
criteria for content.
WRITING
STYLE
15%
SECTIONS OF
PAPER
60%
Your
score
/10
/15
/60
REFERENCE
PAGE
CITATIONS
15%
At least 5
accurately cited
sources; student
used guidelines
noted on page 4
accurately.
Students properly
included citations
in work.
left out 2-3 pieces of
information.
out 4-6 pieces of
information.
At least 4 accurately
cited sources;
student used
guidelines noted on
page 4 accurately.
Students properly
included citations in
work.
Student used incorrect
format for reference
page (did not follow
guidelines listed).
Student had 3 sources
or less.
Student had 1-2
sources included.
Student did not follow
any reference guidelines
listed on page 4.
/15
Total
/100