Papers should be 16-18 pages of text, typed, but not including the Title page, Figures, Tables or Reference section. While
precise page limits will not be enforced, if your paper is less than 16 pages you have probably either chosen too narrow a
topic or done an incomplete job describing and evaluating data; if you generate substantially more than 20 pages on the
topic, you have either chosen a topic that is too broad, poorly defined, or have been excessively verbose.
You must present and discuss experimental data from at least 4 separate papers from the primary literature (this may
include multiple papers by the same authors, although you should try to seek a variety of authors to be certain you have
considered all possible approaches and interpretations). You must present information obtained from at least 12 different
articles, and you may not cite more than three review articles (75% of the articles should be primary research articles).
Stronger papers include multiple experimental approaches to addressing the topic, include some critique of what is
known/unknown, and provide good transitions and integration between sections. The paper should not read paper 1,
paper 2, paper 3. You want to demonstrate your ability to synthesize and think about the issues. Examples of Senior
Seminar Papers from previous semesters are available on Canvas.
Organization of paper
Introduction
Define the main question you are addressing and indicate why this topic is of interest or concern. Provide a brief
background that orients the reader to your subject. Provide a brief outline of the organization of the paper.
The central thesis of your paper should be clearly stated early in the paper. If I reach page 2 and still do not know
the focus of your paper, then you have waited too long.
You need to get the reader interested in your topic. There are several ways to capture the interest of your reader.
For example, you may include a statement or statistics that intrigue the reader, explain a controversy or
contradiction, ask a question, or describe an event that gave insight into a new way of understanding an “old”
problem. Introductions generally proceed from the general to the specific. You need to provide context for your
paper but avoid starting off too general.
Review and Synthesis
Present the experimental approach and data from papers that are central to your topic. Cite each author’s work
and explain how each study contributes to our understanding of this field. What do these data tell you about this
issue?
Make a distinction between hypotheses that have been tested and those that need to be tested. Do the data support
one hypothesis over another? Propose approaches that may be used to distinguish among alternative ideas.
Use Headings to help organize this section. Note use of headings in papers that you read for discussion and as
you research your topic.
Make your text flow by using transitional words (thus, however, again, consequently), phrases (as a result, in turn,
in addition to, because of), and sentences.
Conclusion
In your assessment, what is the current state of knowledge in the field and where are new insights most likely to
come from? Connect your conclusions to the main thesis of your paper.
Rubric
I) Thoroughness and depth of analysis of topic and evidence of independent thought (100 pts)
1) Was adequate background and context provided so that the reader understood the history of the field leading up to
the current work being presented? Was it clear why the question or issue being addressed is of importance?
2) Was the topic thoroughly research and clearly explained in the author’s own words? Is the information presented
accurate and current? Is appropriate evidence presented in support of conclusions drawn or positions taken?
3) Is there evidence of independent thought and analysis of the topic, as opposed to a straight literature review? This
is a major determinant of your grade, as this is where you demonstrate not only your ability to extract information
from the literature but also your ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources into a coherent, cohesive
story.
4) Evidence that you read and understood the material presented in the scientific literature.
5) All parts of the paper are explained in your words. Quotes are not used and paraphrasing with appropriate citation
is used consistently throughout the paper.
6) You distinguish between the author’s interpretation and your interpretation of the data.
II) Use of experimental evidence to support analysis and conclusions (60 pts)
1) Were the experiments explained clearly, so that the reader could understand what was done, but not in excessive
and unnecessary detail?
2) Were the figures legible and clearly labeled? Did each figure have a number and a title? Figure legends are
accurate and written in your own words.
3) Did the author lead the reader through the figures, explaining the important points to be gleaned from each set of
experimental results?
4) Are all experiments, models and theories that are not the product of the author clearly and appropriately cited? All
articles that are discussed in the paper are cited appropriately and a complete citation is present in the literature cited
section. Use of evidence is extremely important in scientific writing, and this will also make a substantial
contribution to the grade you earn.
5) Are the cited references from contemporary, appropriate literature? Is there evidence of extensive use of the
primary literature, as opposed to review articles? Articles from the popular press are not used.
6) Experimental results are discussed from a minimum of four primary literature articles. A minimum of 12 scientific
articles are cited in the paper. No more than three review articles are cited in paper.
III) Organization, Writing, And Formatting of Paper (40 pts)
1) Format of citing references in text and literature citation section (15 pts)
2) Writing and organization (15 pts)
Is the paper well organized?
Are concepts presented in a logical order?
Is the paper clearly written, in complete sentences and paragraphs, with accurate grammar and spelling?
3) Paper format (10 pts) Is the paper formatted according to the instructions given?
Formatting of tables and figures
Title page, abstract, introduction, appropriate use of heading in body of paper
Page numbers
ORGANIZATION AND FORMAT FOR PAPER
General Formatting Instructions
The paper should have a title page with the title, your name, and date. The text should be double-spaced with 1”
margins and 12-point font – this does not include figures, or the literature cited section. A minimum of 12 references
should be cited properly.
Figures and tables should be numbered in the order that they appear in your paper. Each figure or table should have a
legend and cite the paper. The legends for tables are traditionally placed at the top of the table, and the legends for graphs
are placed at the bottom of the figure. In the text, refer to the figure or table as Figure 1 or Table 1. Figures and tables do
not need to be embedded in the text.