CS 4873a

Term Paper

 

Due:
  • November 16th
Format:
  • Approx. ten pages
  • Double spaced
  • 12 pt font
  • On Canvas
Grading criteria:
  • Quality of research
  • Insight into computing and society issues
  • Writing
  • Bibliography

 

For your term paper, you will research an issue about computing and society that you are initially undecided about. In your paper, you will take a position on that issue and support that position. Your paper should be approximately ten pages long. Don't worry if it's a bit longer or shorter--just make sure to cover your issue well. (Just please don't go over twice the suggested length.)

Try to be balanced and fair in your presentation of evidence. You don' t necessarily need to take a strong stance on the issue. If as you research you find you are really undecided, you may instead write about why there is currently not enough evidence available on your issue. You can review all the existing evidence, and in your conclusion outline what sort of empirical research would be desirable to fully understand the issue.

Quality of writing counts. Please try to make your prose clear and readable. Do not use overly formal language, but also do not use colloquialisms. Your textbooks are reasonable models for the desired writing style.

To the greatest extent possible, all statements in your paper should be supported by appropriate references. If you include personal opinion or other sources of data, mark those clearly. Your bibliography should be in APA style.

You must have at least ten references total, and at least four should be peer reviewed (minimum).

Please avoid citing the same reference over and over. Sometimes we get term papers that are essentially a summary of one source. This does not make a good paper.

Reference format
Please use APA format for all references. APA format is described here: here.