CSC 300 Research Paper Specification and Acceptance Test Guide

PAPER Author: Paper Title:

FACTS: (20%) Concise, simple, clear, NARRATIVE that describes the state of the world related to your issue.  Tell the reader a story about the situation that makes her curious about your issue before you tell her about it.  Cite respectable sources for every fact or claim about the situation.  Just a page or two. 

ISSUE STATEMENT: (5%) Very concise and simple, one line is best, narrowly defined [single] question that you will resolve in your analysis.  Avoid side issues!

ALTERNATIVE ARGUMENTS: (25%) Cover other thinkers thoughts about your issue in a neutral manner.  Take no sides, just illustrate the different views and the logical reasoning of others as though they're correct.  (Do NOT inject any of your analysis till the next section!)  Cite sources for the arguments.  Don't make them up.  Cover the field.   Use descriptive subheadings to distinguish the different arguments.  The Code does not belong in this section, use it in your analysis later.


YOUR ANALYSIS: (50%) Answer your question (your issue).  Make informed and logically reasoned judgments about the validity of others' arguments, make new arguments of your own and justify them with logic and ethical principles.  Begin by justification of the applicability of the SE Code to your issue.  You must convince me, even if I actually disagree with you, that your analysis and conclusion have a respectable amount of logical weight utilizing the IEEE/ACM Software Engineering Code and other general ethical principles.   Continue to cite sources for all facts and arguments used in your analysis.  Make sure your analysis is only about your narrowly defined issue!   Use subheadings to distinguish your various arguments.


OVERALL GRADE: ______________

NOTE: You are required to fill out and attach this sheet as your self-evaluation to your paper.

Paper Checklist.  Perform the following checks before turning in the paper: