Basic Lab Techniques
Research Paper Instructions
You will write a three page research paper (excluding cover page and bibliography page, pages numbered starting in the introduction) on a biotechnology product of your choice. The main purpose of your paper is to collect information from the literature and present it in your own words in a written paper, PowerPoint presentation and e-poster formats. The paper will include at least, the information listed below. Your paper must be grammatically correct and sources should be cited using APA format. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
You are required to submit first draft, final draft, PowerPoint presentation and e-poster to the Writing Center for feedback on structure, grammar and APA format before submitting it to the instructor. The writing center is located in RCB, you can set up a meeting with a writing center coach or drop by and meet with a coach if one is free. Information that has to be included in the paper (the order is not important):
Name of manufacturing company
Brand Name of product and names of similar products(generic or other brand names)
Structure of the generic or branded product
History of the product
What condition it treats/dosage used
What year it came on the market
How it is manufactured (try to find production and purification methods)
Where it is manufactured
Benefits vs. side effects
Financial information about the product (e.g. revenue, money invested in R&D of the product)
Does a patent exist for the product (the patent application is a great source of information http://patft.uspto.gov/ )
You are expected to cite at least five references in your paper, and at least two of them should be from the primary literature (scientific articles).
At least one of the references has to be from the last five years (2011 or later)
The paper will include:
Cover page with your name the product and company name, course name and number, date and the name of the instructor
A one page introduction which will include brief historical, financial and human resource information of the manufacturing company, brief history of the product or related compound and brief history of the condition the product is used to treat or support. The product can be a compound or equipment as long as it is a biotechnology related product.
The body of the paper (at least two pages) will include all detailed information about the product of your choice and how it is being used.
List of work cited in APA format
You will also need to prepare:
A PowerPoint presentation and can include other multi-media based presentation (videos, handouts etc.) of your research. This presentation will need to include key ideas and information that you glean from your research as well as visuals (pictures, diagrams,
drawings, etc…) to aid in your explanation. You should aim for the presentation to include 8-10 slides
E-poster using the e-poster template posted in the “Research Paper” menu item or any other poster template if you wish to use a different one.