BIOL 338: Human Impact on the Environment (Professor Simokat) (Fall 2022)

BIOL 338 Human Impact on the Environment: Literature review 

A literature review is a descriptive summary of research on a topic that has previously been studied. The purpose of a literature review is to inform readers of the significant knowledge and ideas that have been established on a topic. Its purpose is to compare, contrast and/or connect findings that were identified when reviewing researchers' work. Oftentimes, literature reviews are written to ground a study in a particular context of what is known about a subject in order to establish a foundation for the topic (or question) being researched. 

The purpose of this assignment is to learn to (1) identify and formulate an inquiry question that defines what you'd like to learn, (2) apply your knowledge that you've learned in class, (3) analyze information found in journal articles, and (4) synthesize new knowledge into a written small-scale literature review. 

Assignment Description: 

You will form a group of 3 to 5 members to complete a small-scale literature review on a solution to a human impact topic of your choice related to class.  General topics will be suggested in the Research Paper section of Cougar Courses, however you may also suggest a topic that is not listed there.  Please contact the instructor if you wish to suggest a new topic. 

You are asked to include a minimum of 5 journal articles on your topic and write a 2500 word literature review on the articles you've selected. 

 Steps to complete your small-scale literature review: 

1. Choose a topic related to class that you are interested in studying. 

2. Formulate an inquiry question that specifically describes what would like to know about the solution to the impact problem. 

3. Find related scholarly articles, read the abstracts and skim the articles to determine if they correspond well to your topic AND inquiry question. 

4. Read your articles and begin to sort and classify them according to their findings. 

5. Of the articles you found, select at least 5 journal articles to include your project. 

6. Organize your articles by sorting and classifying their findings in a meaningful way, always considering your original topic and inquiry question. 

7. Write an outline for your small-scale literature review.  

8. Write your review. 

9. Create a group presentation using Powerpoint or Google slides.  Use a Title Slide and 5 content slides. 

Minimum 2500 words, APA format, word doc or PDF only.  1 paper per group submitted on Cougar Courses.  No more than 5 members per group.   

For full assignment guidelines, please consult Cougar Courses.