Synthesis Paper Guidelines printable pdf download

Synthesis Paper Guidelines

You should think of this paper as you would a research or term paper; it should be a full

write-up of the complete solution to the particular problem, including up-to-date references

regarding what is known about the relevant aspects of the particular problem that was

posed. As you write your paper, do not simply run through how your group solved the

problem (although that is a part). What you will be writing is a synthesis: one in which you

integrate (e.g., synthesize) your results and studies into a treatment of the concepts in terms

of the problem at hand.

My expectations for your term paper are that (1) your effort is completely original (i.e., you

wrote it alone), and (2) that it covers the Problem completely.

General: Use current pertinent literature.

Use scientific or technical journals for your report. Do NOT use encyclopedias

(including Wikkipedia), or re-chewed popular journals (like Discovery, Natural

History, or Earth). Try and read the original, pertinent literature in the original scientific

publications by the people that did the science in the first place.

The problem with books is that most of the information published within them is

out of date by the time you read the book. You may use books as a part of your

research, but may not solely rely upon them.

The web can be helpful, but the web is a double-edged sword – use it sparingly.

You almost certainly will find that you need to use either the Olin library for hard

copy or electronic journal links at the Library’s website to obtain the journals you

need in addition to the papers supplied as .pdf links.

You will need to learn to use keywords in various databases (Georef; BioOne Online

Journals; JSTOR Biological Sciences Collection; Web of Science; Anthropology

Plus) to identify the journal articles that may be of greatest use in solving your

problem. You will become very familiar with the Help With Assignments link at:

Format:

! It should be computer generated and no longer than 10 pages.

! All text should be double-spaced, with 1” margins, and left justified.

! It should be in 12-pt font with a conventional typescript (e.g., Times New Roman).

! It should be in PALAIOS format (You can find examples of this format by consulting

that journal’s website: and downloading the .pdf file for

authors).

! The first page should contain the Problem Title (centered), the names of the group

members (with that of the Synthesizer bolded & italicized) and the date (both, right

justified). In the remaining space the text should begin. The first page should NOT be

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Synthesis Paper Guidelines