Module 3: Decision Paper

Decisionproduct outline- Issue to reach a decision onis Chemtrails

Use this format to organize your summary and decision on the issue. Turn in a document in this format. Please be concise. I’ll be using TurnItIn for your submissions, so do not plagiarize. Use the grading rubric to guide you to the score you desire.

(Remember to use the grading rubric as a guide while you write this)

Helpful Hint:The Analysis product is where you analyze the issue. The Decisionproduct is where you explain the decision you reached about the issue. There is some overlap between the two at the beginning of the Decisionproduct, but that overlap is a very condensed version of the main points of the Analysis product. The Decisionproduct is worth more points because the reasoning behind the decision you reach is really important.

  1. Issue description

Describe the issue such that a non-scientist (or someone not familiar with the issue) would understand it. Include a basic explanation of the issue and why it is a potential problem. Remember to cite sources for any information you didn’t think of yourself.

  1. Background of argument or issue

Explain the background of the issue. Include the history or origin of it (if applicable), the science background that supports and refutes the argument, and the consequences of the issue. Remember to cite sources for any information you didn’t think of yourself.

  1. Decision about argument or issue reached and why

What decision did you reach about this issue/argument? Why? Explain the process you used to arrive at this conclusion. Describe the evidence that supports your conclusion. Include the credible sources for that evidence. Should anything be done (society-wise) about this issue/argument? Why? What recommendation do you have about this issue/argument?

Sources (or References):The general rule is that anything you didn't think of, or say, should be credited.For this assignment, you can credit the source directly after you use their information (in the line of text itself) - i.e., insert the web address or author, or you can insert a footnote in the line of text, and then provide references at the end of the document. For this assignment, the format of the references section is not as important to me as the information in the reference. That means, in the references section, that you need to provide the full web site address, or the full reference (author, title, journal/book, date). Remember to use a variety of credible sources.For help with avoiding plagiarism, I recommend this page: to an external site.)Links to an external site.

The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University is a great resource for information on citing sources, and better writing, in general. I heartily encourage you to spend some time on this site:

Grading rubric:

Criteria / Above (9-10 points) / Average (6-8 points) / Below (0-5 points)
Description and Background / Clear, concise information; a non-scientist can fully understand; clearly science-based; perceptive exploration of and discussion of consequences. / Generally clear information; some information is science-based; a non-scientist has trouble but can eventually ‘get’ it; explains consequences. / Scattered and non-cohesive or narrow information; a non-scientist is lost; little scientific information included; consequences are listed.
Decision reached and why / Clearly describes decision reached; describes a thought process based on evidence; includes multiple credible sources that support decision; explains innovative or perceptive recommendation(s); includes comprehensive reasons. / Explains decision reached; describes a logical thought process; some sources are credible; suggests sensible recommendations and explains why. / No decision reached or explanation is inconclusive; narrow thought process listed; no sources listed or sources are not credible; naïve recommendations made; little/no explanation provided.
Conventions / Clear and cohesive writing; no spelling or grammar errors; clearly followed instructions and guidelines. / Generally well-written but some flow/clarity problems; enough spelling or grammar errors that the reader notices them; mostly followed instructions. / Poorly written with many distracting problems; so many spelling or grammar errors that the reader has difficulty; instructions not followed.