IT103 Lecture Project Student Deliverable #1 Submit as one document on Blackboard

***No Late Submissions***

Class Meeting Day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Due Date (at the class start time) Tuesday, 10/11 Tuesday, 10/4 Wednesday, 10/5 Thursday, 10/6 Friday, 10/7

Research Paper Specifications (150 points - 15% of final grade)

Overview
As part of this project, you will be required to write a paper on a new development in information technology that you find interesting or potentially beneficial. You will analyze this development, explain the technology, its benefits, and legal, ethical, and social issues related to it, security of the development, and the hurdles that must be overcome to bring it to fruition.

Project Objectives
Assess the significance of a new development in information technology Critically evaluate new development from legal, social, ethical, and security perspectives Identify and evaluate sources of information on new developments in information technology Formally research a selected topic, communicate your understanding and appropriately cite your references

Project Requirements
Your research paper will include: 1. Title page containing your full name, course number and section (IT 103, section 001), date, project title, and the following GMU Honor Code quote and active links and your signature: "By placing this statement on my webpage, I certify that I have read and understand the GMU Honor Code on http://academicintegrity.gmu.edu/honorcode/ . I am fully aware of the following sections of the Honor Code: Extent of the Honor Code, Responsibility of the Student and Penalty. In addition, I have received permission from the copyright holder for any copyrighted material that is displayed on my site. This includes quoting extensive amounts of text, any material copied directly from a web page and graphics/pictures that are copyrighted. This project or subject material has not been used in another class by me or any other student. Finally, I certify that this site is not for commercial purposes, which is a violation of the George Mason Responsible Use of Computing (RUC) Policy posted on http://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/1301gen.html web site." Hyperlink the GMU Honor Code and George Mason Responsible Use of Computing (RUC) Policy links. 2. Four to six (4-6) content pages Equivalent to a minimum of four (1300 words) and maximum of six pages, double spaced, 12 pt, Times New Roman text in MS Word. The paper should be double-spaced throughout (including quotations, notes, and the list of references, the honor code statement), with no blank lines between paragraphs and headings. The margins of your paper are set to Normal. Divide the content into categories such as introduction, background, potential benefits, legal and ethical issues, security concerns, social problems, further required research, and conclusion. Label the categories with appropriate headings. Introduction section must summarize the research topic. The content of the paper must demonstrate the understanding of the topic from the integration of the reference sources References used to develop your understanding of the topic should be appropriately cited within these content pages using APA in-text citation techniques. Each content page must have footer. The footer should contain the page number and the paper title.

3. Reference Page

The reference page is a separate page in your research paper. This page is in addition to the four to six content pages and the title page. Any direct or indirect reference within the paper to the work of others must be appropriately cited in APA standard style in the text and in the reference page. Failure to do so constitutes plagiarism. It should list: At least five references relevant to research on the chosen topic (minimum) At least three different reference types required web sites, papers, books, journals, magazines, newspapers, interviews, etc. A reference page that contains only web sources is not acceptable. Each reference must be annotated to indicate why it is a valid source of information. For electronic references, you must include URL as an active link and the date you visited the page. Note: Where a magazine, journal article or book reference has been located via a full-text online database, list the original publication details of the reference AS WELL AS the name of the database, its URL and the date the reference was accessed.

Submission
Upload your research paper on SafeAssign in Blackboard. Overall, your paper will contain one title page, four to six content pages minimum 1300 words), and one bibliography page in one document.

Help
Research paper guidelines: http://classweb.gmu.edu/piaguide/html/research_papers.htm. Reference or research question: Instant Message University Libraries reference staff or see them in person. Visit http://library.gmu.edu/mudge/IM/IMRef.html for more information. InfoGuide: http://infoguides.gmu.edu/it103 Writing: GMU Writing Center. Robinson A114. Visit http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/ for more information.

KEEP CURRENT BACKUPS AT ALL TIMES. "The computer ate my project" will get you sympathy, but no points.

Grading Criteria
Commen t Code a Criteria Problem Identification And Purpose 30 = Highly competent Research topic is clearly identified and defined in the introduction Purpose of the paper is clearly explained in the introduction Grading Guide 20 = Competent 10 = Emerging Competence (Needs improvement) Identification of the research topic could have been more explicit Purpose of the paper could have been more explicit in the introduction 0 = Not competent Research topic is not identified in the introduction Purpose of the paper is not explained in the introduction Points Receive d 0-30

Analysis, Integration, and Conclusion

Thoroughly analyzed the information/ resources about the new IT development. Demonstrates new understanding from the integration of the reference material; appropriate quotations, clear thesis Technology evaluated for

Student made good effort in identifying the research topic in the introduction Student made good effort in explaining the purpose of the paper in the introduction Level of Student made analysis could have good effort in been deeper. analyzing the information Insufficient collected in the discussions or lack new IT of new development. understanding of the topic. Paper relies Demonstrates too much on some quotations, and the understanding thesis could be from the clearer integration of the reference Conclusions material; most could be supported

Lack adequate analysis The paper is simply a rehash of other peoples ideas; relies heavily on quotations, no clear thesis Conclusio ns are not supported by evidence.

0-30

security, ethical, legal, and social issues All conclusions are well supported by evidence. Reflects critical thinking and in-depth student engagement of the topic. c Organization/Structur e Demonstrates a logical flow of ideas/arguments Has appropriate transitions between ideas/arguments Includes the separate title and references page Content is minimum of four pages Title page has honor code statement with two active links Use appropriate heading and subheadings Footer is included with page number and paper

quotations are appropriate, thesis is clear Most conclusions are supported by evidence. Reflects some critical thinking and student engagement. Student made good effort in organizing and presenting the information Most transitions between ideas/arguments are appropriate Content is minimum of four pages Honor code statement on title page with only one active link Most heading and subheadings are appropriate Footer does

by stronger evidence. Critical thinking and student engagement is weak.

Critical thinking and student engagement is not evident.

Organization and structure could have been better. Needs improving transitions between ideas/arguments Content is less than four pages Honor code statement on title page with no active links. Some headings and subheadings are not appropriately labeled Footer is not included

Does not demonstrate a logical flow of ideas/argumen ts Lack transitions between ideas/ arguments Content is less than four pages No honor code statement on title page No headings and subheadings in the paper Footer is not included

0-30

title d Quality of References and Citation

Used a variety of quality electronic or print sources (>= 3 types of references and >=5 references). All references are appropriate, relevant and current. All references are well documented and properly formatted on a separate page. All references are properly cited in text AND in References page using APA standard style. Has valid annotations for all references All web references include a visited date and an active link to the URL for the reference.

not include page number or paper title Included >= 3 types of references and >=4 references. Fewer than four references are credible, appropriate, relevant and current. Fewer than four references are well documented and properly formatted on a separate page. Fewer than four references are properly cited in text AND in References page using APA standard style. Fewer than four references have valid annotations. Some web references do not

< 3 types of

references or < 4 references or < references are 4 references are included. included. Only one or References are two references are NOT credible, credible, appropriate, appropriate, relevant or relevant and current. current. Reference Only one or s are not well two references are documented or well documented properly and properly formatted. formatted on a No separate reference separate page. reference Only one or page. two references are Reference properly cited in s are not text AND in properly cited References page in text AND in using APA standard References style. page using APA standard Only one or two style. references have valid annotations. References are not annotated. Most of web references do not No web have a visited date or references have

< 3 types of

0-30

have a visited date or an active link to the URL for the reference.

an active link to the URL

Mechanics / Style

Paragraphs are appropriate length Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation Uses correct and appropriate sentence structure Paper is presented in double space, font 12 Times New Roman throughout the paper including spacing between paragraphs and headings.

One or two paragraphs are too long or two short in length One or two errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation One or two incorrect and inappropriate sentence structure Paper is presented in double space, font 12 Times New Roman

More than two paragraphs are too long or too short in length More than two errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation More than two incorrect and inappropriate sentence structure Paper is not presented in double space, or the font is not 12 Times New Roman in any part of the paper.

a visited date or an active link to the URL of the reference. No in-text citations. Paragraph s are too long or too short in length Reader struggled or halted the paper due to numerous errors in grammar and sentence structure Neither double space nor font 12 Times New Roman is used.

0-30

Other

No project submitted Unapproved or inappropriate topic Honor Code violation No grade at this time. See you instructor.