Research Paper Title

Your Name1*, My Lab-Partner1, Another Lab-Partner1

1Princeton University, Your Department, Princeton, NJ 08544

*Corresponding author:

Abstract (to be rewritten): The abstract should give a quick summary of the story you plan to tell and major conclusions you will be supporting. It should be less than 250 words, contain no citations or figures and make clear to the reader a summary of the assessment you will present in your paper. The main body of your manuscript should not exceed 3 ½ pages including figures (not including references). Additional instructions are provided below.

1. Introduction

Each student will turn in an independent research paper in week 3 of the three-week module cycle. The paper will require some independent research to complete. The vast majority of the material you present will be based on information presented in class and in the labs, however, some online research will likely prove beneficial. Importantly, this paper is not a lab report: only report details from lab as needed to support your conclusions related to the main abstract. You are free to add whatever you like to the paper provided it stays within the 3.5-page limit (including figures but not references). Please cite[1] any sources you use and acknowledge assistance if appropriate.

You must use this docx template for your lab paper and maintain the basic formatting shown here (2-column, margins as shown, embedded figures, etc.). Minor variations are acceptable such as in tables and equations – ask if in doubt. You will be able to place your cursor in a paragraph then click the OSA body style to format the whole paragraph.

The due date for each paper will be posted online. Papers are to be turned in via the drop box file cabinet outside of McDonnell 102. See the grading rubric at the end of this paper for scoring guidelines.

2. Subtopic or supporting evidence 1

You may break up your presentation into sections as you see fit. You DO NOT need to use the sectioning shown here. In each section you should present a portion of your supporting evidence with sufficient detail to meet the grading rubric. This will include figures and equations as you deem needed.

Figures. As with tables and equations, figures should be set as one column wide if possible unless two-column display is essential. If possible, set the figures in the desired position within the text. You should always include a caption under the figure (use caption Style selection) and reference the figure in main text (see Fig. 1). Graphs always have labeled axes and a title.

Fig. 1. Example figure illustrating something relevant to thesis topic with caption text and descriptions of any sub-figures. In this figure a graph is shown so a title is included with axes labels. Some words about what is the main point of the figure are needed as well as words identifying any non-obvious details in the figure such as numbers, variables, size scale, or line colors.

3. Subtopic or Supporting Evidence Heading 2

More of your evidence can be presented in subsequent sections 2,3,….

Equations. If used, please do not include the basic foundational equations like F=ma or E= ½ mv2 unless the use of that equation is not obvious in this case. Equations like Bernoulli’s eqn is certainly not obvious but may not be directly related to the point being made beyond the obvious. Non-obvious manipulations of equations should be included but will be rare occurrences. If you want to discuss in detail the equation’s meaning/implications then including it would make sense. It is your job to work this out but feel free to ask for guidance.

Display equations should be aligned for two-column display unless spanning across two columns is essential. You may include in-line equations as well. You may use any Word equation formatting method you choose but be sure the final PDF displays the correct symbols.

If you apply the Equations style in this template to the inserted equation (Eqn. 1) it will create some spacing above and below. However, this is not required since it takes up extra space.

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4. Subtopic or Supporting Evidence etc.

More of your evidence can be presented in subsequent sections 2,3,….

Tables. If used, styles for table title, table head, and table text are provided in the MS Word Styles ribbon. Tables should be set as one column wide if possible and be placed near their first mention in the body (Table 1).

Table title

Thing 1 / Thing 2 / Thing 3 / Thing 4
Meaningful fact / Meaningful fact / Meaningful fact / Meaningful fact

Table 1: Meaningful facts are expected.

5. Discussion and Conclusions

Here you should pull together your observations and conclusions in a succinct summary. You may also include additional considerations and further implications related to your manuscript.

Acknowledgment. Acknowledgements as appropriate go here.

Example References

Choose a consistent format such that a reader will be able to find your source if checked. Similar to what you may have learned in your writing seminar, you may fins the following link helpful: http://www.scientificstyleandformat.org/Tools/SSF-Citation-Quick-Guide.html )

1. D. R. Scientist, Journal of Importance 38, 3478 (2013).

2. A. Cordero-Davila, J. R. Kantun-Montiel, and J. Gonzalez-Garcia, in Imaging and Applied Optics Technical Digest 2012 (Optical Society of America, 2012), p. 13.

3. {Example lab writeup citing} Information from Lab3a

4. {Example URL citing} See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave

5. {Example for class lecture info} Lecture Day 5 (slide 15)

General Grading Rubric (specific Rubric will be returned with graded paper):

15% Clearly present question being addressed, your position on the topic as needed, and any relevant background and qualifying information important for understanding your analysis.

55% Present sufficient supporting evidence and background science from class, lab and online sources. You must make clear the relationship of any evidence to the research paper prompt.

15% Supporting citations sufficient and appropriate

15% Overall presentation (including figures and references), grammar, appropriate acknowledgement as needed, and clarity of words