285 Final Project

Document Specification: Rough Draft Due April 10th Purpose: Purpose: Economy of effort Economy of effort Input from instructors and peers can focus your efforts before you do unnecessary work Input from instructors and peers can focus your efforts before you do unnecessary work Work planning Work planning Helps in establishing a clear writing schedule Helps in establishing a clear writing schedule You’ll know what you need to research before it’s too late to research it You’ll know what you need to research before it’s too late to research it Improved Organization Improved Organization

Document Specification: Requirements 1. Introduction State the topic of your Final Project State the topic of your Final Project State the purpose and intended audience of your final project. State the purpose and intended audience of your final project. Note: Not just your CMPE 285 instructor. Note: Not just your CMPE 285 instructor. Does not need to be the full introduction of your Final Project. Does not need to be the full introduction of your Final Project. But this can help focus your research. But this can help focus your research.

Document Specification: Requirements (cont.) 2. Technical Discussion Outline Should address major points Should address major points Organize your points of interest Organize your points of interest 3. Proposed Research List research sources List research sources Exact sources, when possible Exact sources, when possible Otherwise, general sources you plan to investigate Otherwise, general sources you plan to investigate 4. Indicate your chosen style guide. (Length: typically 2-3 pages) (Length: typically 2-3 pages)

What sort of article is this? Thesis chapter? Thesis chapter? If so, present it with enough information to be an independent paper. If so, present it with enough information to be an independent paper. Journal article for publication? Journal article for publication? Consider what journal Consider what journal Tailor style to journal Tailor style to journal Project report? Project report? Who are you reporting to? Who are you reporting to? Are you recording information or drawing specific conclusions? Are you recording information or drawing specific conclusions? Tutorial? Tutorial? What level is the audience? What level is the audience?

Key elements: Abstract (sometimes optional) Abstract (sometimes optional) Introduction Introduction Materials and Methods (sometimes optional) Materials and Methods (sometimes optional) Results (sometimes optional) Results (sometimes optional) Discussion Discussion Conclusion Conclusion

Other elements Visual aids (recommended) Visual aids (recommended) Table of contents (optional) Table of contents (optional) Index (optional) Index (optional) Glossary (optional) Glossary (optional) Appendices (optional) Appendices (optional) Supportive, but nonessential information. Supportive, but nonessential information. Citations (required) Citations (required)

Foregrounding – major findings Can be present in your: Can be present in your: Title Title Abstract Abstract Purpose statement (in introduction, typically) Purpose statement (in introduction, typically) Key visual aids Key visual aids Informative section headings Informative section headings

Abstract Used as screening device Used as screening device Is this the article you’re looking for? Is this the article you’re looking for? Used as stand-alone text Used as stand-alone text Provides simple, high level information Provides simple, high level information Reader may or may not return later Reader may or may not return later Provides preview of article Provides preview of article Facilitates indexing Facilitates indexing Advises librarians, record-keepers Advises librarians, record-keepers Should have keywords for automated retreival Should have keywords for automated retreival

Introduction Identifies audience Identifies audience Provides background Provides background Explains problem/thesis Explains problem/thesis Sets style or tone Sets style or tone

Materials and Methods Describes methodology Describes methodology Identifies special conditions Identifies special conditions Identifies special criteria used to select materials Identifies special criteria used to select materials Justifies choices for each element Justifies choices for each element Demonstrates the validity of your research Demonstrates the validity of your research Also gives your reader opportunity to question or improve on your research Also gives your reader opportunity to question or improve on your research

Results Major findings from your project or research Major findings from your project or research Short description of your supporting data Short description of your supporting data Depends on quantity of data Depends on quantity of data You may be able to present all your data You may be able to present all your data You may want to summarize You may want to summarize You may want to include lengthy, verbatim results in an Appendix. You may want to include lengthy, verbatim results in an Appendix.

Discussion What are the implications of your results? What are the implications of your results? Do they confirm or refute other’s observations? Do they confirm or refute other’s observations? What are the contributions to your field? What are the contributions to your field? New hypotheses? New hypotheses? Proposed future research? Proposed future research? Practical applications? Practical applications?

Conclusion Mirrors introduction, but key differences: Mirrors introduction, but key differences: Can assume a higher level understanding Can assume a higher level understanding Not the place for background information Not the place for background information Can build on the data/results already presented Can build on the data/results already presented Can ask parting questions, suggest further research. Can ask parting questions, suggest further research.