Scientist Research Paper

Purpose

One criticism frequently lodged against the educational system is that schools turn out students who have little interest in or knowledge of math and science. The purpose of this paper is to enhance our understanding of what it is that a scientist does and to expose us to some of the men and women of science who have been influential in advancing scientific research and understanding and, in consequence, have helped to shape our modern world.

As you prepare to write your research paper, draw on the materials that you have created for your earlier papers, including notes you have taken and details from the various essays themselves. Your research paper should reflect the work that you have done throughout the course in studying the life and work of your scientist. You can also copy from the works cited pages from those essays any source material that you are also using in your research paper.

Format

Students will write a research paper 5-7 pages in length (1250-1750 words) researching the life and work of a prominent scientist (see attached list of suggested names). Students may use any sources available--books, journals, magazines--but must have a minimum of five printed sources. Students will do an annotated bibliography (typewritten) of these sources including each citation in MLA format and a brief description of the source, its value and the type of information it contains relative to the scientist being researched. See a sample annotated bibliography on critical thinking as an illustration of how to create your annotated bibliograpjy.

Focus

The research paper will include biographical information and information regarding the scientific project(s) of the scientist under study. Students may select any scientist to study or may focus on several scientists who collaborated on a project. All research topics must be approved by the instructor. Students will focus on the following types of information/questions: