Group research project

Assignment: Choose a topic from the list below. If your group would rather choose a different topic then present it to me with an annotated bibliography by the end of the first week. Research must include articles from refereed sources (e.g. journals and publications). You mission is research the topic, write a collaborative wiki paper, and present your findings to the class. You will be given a wiki site where you can collaborate on writing your paper.

Grade will be based on:

1.  Quality of research: Determined from the content of items 3 and 4.

2.  Group contribution and participation: Determined from wiki log and peer review

3.  Paper – Organization and construction

4.  Presentation – Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the topic

If you fail in either 1 or 2 you fail in the project

Components of your paper:

1.  Title

2.  Authors and affiliations

3.  Abstract: A brief synopsis of your paper. Follow these guidelines on writing an abstract from Earth Research:

http://www.earthresearch.com/writing-abstract.shtml

4.  Introduction: A clear presentation or description of the topic. The Introduction explains what the paper is about and the significance of the topic. Your want to capture the imagination of the readers and make them want to read the paper. Relate why the subject is particularly interesting or important.

5.  Discussion: A section that describes the results of your research including, theories/hypotheses, supporting arguments, etc. This is where you discuss the results of your research.

6.  Conclusion: A brief discussion of the most important and best-supported hypothesis or argument, or degree of uncertainly and need for further research or data.

7.  Bibliography and references cited

USGS Suggestions To Authors – Preparing References:

http://pubs.usgs.gov/sta7refs.html

This paper is strictly from literature research, so you will not have a methods section or results section.

Review the reference below regarding details and best practices:

·  How to write a geological paper: http://almandine.geol.wwu.edu/~dave/other/howtosci/main.html

·  APA Guidelines: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

Use for intext citations; figures and figure captions; citing online sources; paragraph structure, etc.

Presentation

You will have to present your research before the class. I will give you two options:

1.  An orally presented powerpoint

2.  A digital movie or video, or voice over powerpoint

Suggested topics:

1.  Glacial Features: Origin of Drumlins, two till controversy, origin of eskers, how glaciers erode, styled of deglaciation in New England.

2.  Karst: The formation of tower karst, Theories of karst formation (Mammoth caves and Carlsbad Caverns.

3.  Slopes: Theories of slope development and retreat

4.  Fluvial processes: Why streams meander, how are river channels develop, the origin of the Grand Canyon, influence of man on fluvial systems

5.  Death Valley: origin and geomorphology of an Late Cenozoic arid basin

6.  Historic: Reconstructing the early Holocene New England landscape in order to locate Paleo-Indian settlements

7.  Relict Landscapes

8.  Rates of erosion determined by topographic inversion of a volcanic terrane

Presentation Rubric

Prepare your presentation using the following presentation guidelines:

1.  Convey knowledge and understanding.

2.  No filler. Everything you include must have a clear purpose.

3.  Text, audio, and images must be organized and carry the reader easily through the topic.

4.  Don’t include images or text that you don’t understand and clearly discuss.

5.  Know the content of your references.

Presenters______

Pier Review

Grading Rubric / Comments
Knowledge, and comfort with the topic / .5
·  -Vague understanding of topic
·  Can’t answer questions
·  Vague knowledge of listed references / 1, 2
·  Read slides (oral presentation)
·  Moderately comfortable with the topic and knows most references / 3
Completely comfortable with all aspects of the topic
Presentation format / .5
·  Completely unorganized
·  Lacks continuity
·  Clearly a rush job / 1, 2
·  Rambling, hard to follow,
·  Too much or too little text
·  Too small print, etc.,
·  Poor quality images/audio / 3
·  Logical and well organized
·  Easy to follow and understand
·  Cleverly conceived and executed
Content / .5
·  Very superficial coverage of topic
·  Little insight or understanding displayed
·  Images are not discussed
·  Incoherent written or oral statements / 1, 2, 3
·  Coverage sketchy or incomplete
·  Not clearly focused on the topic
·  Didn’t explain all images displayed / 4
·  Comprehensive coverage of the topic
·  Succinctly and clearly presented everything included in the presentation

Grade out of 10 pts = Total points = ______