Individual research paper

Order Description
Purpose and aims:

This assessment is designed to apply the knowledge and skills developed by the students in evaluating the role of systems thinking in global and local sustainability challenges. The topic for your paper is:

‘Systems thinking is critical in developing solutions to sustainability challenges.’

To what extent do you agree with this statement, and why? Draw on one of the following wicked problems to illustrate your answer:

Ice (Crystal meth) use in Australia
Pollution in oceans
Placing a price on carbon
How to write a Research Essay

1. Finding, reading and selecting your sources

At a minimum, this essay will reference sources identified by the student, in addition to the subject readings (10-15 references in total). Your references should primarily include academic journals and books. The University library has developed a useful resource on how to evaluate your sources, and can be found in the subject LMS page.

2. Writing the Introduction

In the introduction you will need to do the following things:

Present relevant background to the topic and its significance
Introduce your ‘wicked problem’
Define terms or concepts when necessary
Explain the aim/purpose of the essay
Reveal your plan of organization for the essay
3. Writing the Body

Build your essay around points you want to make (i.e., don’t let your sources organize your paper)
Integrate your sources into your discussion
Be critical, and where relevant present two sides of an argument
Give examples where relevant
Summarize, analyse, explain, and evaluate published work rather than merely reporting it
Make sure you have answered the topic question – to what extent do you agree with the statement?
4. Writing the Conclusion

If the argument or point of your paper is complex, you may need to summarize the argument for your reader.
If prior to your conclusion you have not yet explained the significance of your findings or if you are proceeding inductively, use the end of your paper to add your points up, to explain their significance.
Move from a detailed to a general level of consideration that returns the topic to the context provided by the introduction.
5. Revising the Final Draft

Check overall organization: logical flow of introduction, coherence and depth of discussion in body, effectiveness of conclusion.
Paragraph level concerns: topic sentences, sequence of ideas within paragraphs, use of details to support generalizations, summary sentences where necessary, use of transitions within and between paragraphs.
Sentence level concerns: sentence structure, word choices, punctuation, spelling.
Source: Adapted from The writing centre at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Reference List and sources:

Students are required to reference at least 3 types of resources in the essay:

Minimum of 6 journal articles (students are required to use scholarly and peer-reviewed articles) and textbooks.
Newspaper/Magazine articles
Company/NGO Websites
A total of 10-15 references are expected for the essay.
Topic is: (choose one)

1. Ice (Crystal meth) use in Australia
2. Pollution in oceans
3. Placing a price on carbon