Introduction
Due: May 21st , 2013 1:30 PM in the
2013 Ocean 220 CollectIt
(Catalyst.uw.edu)
“The purpose of the Introduction should be to
supply sufficient background information to
allow the reader to understand and evaluate
the results of the present study without
needing to refer to previous publications on the
topic. [It] should also provide the rationale for
the present study…. [S]tate briefly and clearly
our purpose in writing the paper.”
Day, R.A. 1998. How to Write & Publish a
Scientific Paper, 5th ed. Oryx.
Introduction
• You should be answering the following
questions:
– What was I studying?
– Why is it important?
– What was known about this topic before my
study?
– What will my study contribute to our
understanding of the region/problem?
Important Components
• Structure = Funnel - Start with the most general
information and focus towards your specific study
• Begin by clearly identifying the subject area of the study
(geographic or process)
• Provide a brief and balanced review of the published
literature to establish context
– Summarize results of relevant published research articles and cite
them
– You will read more papers, book chapters, websites than you will
cite
• Clearly state the purpose or hypothesis that you are
investigating
• Provide an overview of how you approached the problem
Annotated Bibliography
In this assignment, you are to prepare an annotated reference list relevant to
your research topic that contains at least three references. An annotated
reference list differs from the Reference section in that you have provided an
additional description (i.e. annotation) for each source.
Generally annotations are 4-6 sentences long that include the main focus of
the paper and its relevance to your research topic. It should include the
important conclusions or findings of the authors. You could also include your own
evaluation of their findings.
We expect you to format your references in the L&O style and include the
annotation below the reference.
For example:
Cannon, G. A. 1975. Observations of bottom-water flushing in
a fjord-like estuary. Estuar. Coast. Mar. Sci., 3, 95-102.
Cannon investigated the deep circulation in Port Susan with a
combination of hydrographic measurements and current
meter deployments. He found that there are short episodic
events where water behind the deep sill is replaced by
inflowing denser water. The result of this flushing is a middepth minimum in dissolved oxygen concentrations within
Port Susan. Cannon also included hydrographic sections in
Saratoga Passage in July and August 1970, as well as a figure
with a record of the temperature, salinity, and dissolved
oxygen over the course of 1970 that might be useful for
comparison to my data.
Mixed Group Meetings
•
•
Provide an opportunity for you to explain your project to other students and
faculty (good practice for your final oral presentation)
An opportunity to think about how your study be related to those from other
groups
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