Project One Planning Document First Draft

Overview

You have identified an issue in the natural sciences and developed an  initial research question. In Modules Three and Four, you will practice  evaluating scientific sources and then identify and describe sources  related to your topic. As you investigate your topic through these  sources, you will revisit your research question and make adjustments.

Prompt

In this first draft, you will identify appropriate resources related  to your issue and begin to analyze them and compile your reference list.  You will complete the first two critical elements (introduction and  body) of Project Part One, and you will complete a draft of the  conclusion in Modules Five and Six. You will also begin building  critical element IV, the reference list, in this draft.

Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:

Introduction: In this section, you will discuss  your natural science issue and select resources that you can use to  research the issue. This will lead you to the development of a research  question related to your issue. Specifically, you should: 

Describe the issue in the natural sciences that you  have selected to investigate. Why is this issue significant? (You  identified this issue in Module One, but how would you revise this piece  now that you have received instructor feedback and investigated your  sources?)

Describe at least three science resources that you  could use to investigate the issue you selected. Your sources must be  relevant to your issue and must be of an academic nature appropriate for  the issue. In your Question, consider questions such as: What are  the similarities and differences in the content of your sources? What  makes them appropriate and relevant for investigating your issue? What  was your thought process when you were searching for sources? How did  you make choices?

Based on your review of science resources, develop a specific question related to the issue you selected. In other words, what would you like to know more about?

1. Body: In this section, you will use the natural  science resources that you selected to investigate your question,  focusing on an appropriate audience and the scientific principles  related to the issue. Make sure to cite your sources. Based on your  research: 

Identify an audience that would be interested in  your issue and the question you developed. For example, who would  benefit most from hearing your message, or who could best help in  addressing the issue?

Describe how and why you can tailor your message to  your audience, providing specific examples. For example, will your  audience understand scientific terminology and principles, or will you  need to explain them? How will you communicate effectively with your  audience?

Identify the natural science principle(s)  that apply to your question and issue. For example, if your issue is  global climate change, the principle you might identify is that the sun  is the primary source of energy for Earth’s climate system.

1. Explain how the principle(s) you  identified apply to your issue and question. In other words, how are the  natural science principle(s) you identified relevant to your question  and issue?