Assignment:
Term Paper Guidelines For Computers, Ethics, and Society
The term paper shall be 11-15 pages in length. The page requirement does not include the title page or the bibliographical page, or end-note page, if end-notes are used. There are a number of standard methods for acceptable formats for footnoting and bibliography, any one of which is suitable. The most important element here us ti cite carefully, and accurately, with sincere regard for attribution.
The topic of the research paper is by personal preference. This does not mean that any topic is acceptable. It does mean that any topic associated with an ethical issue within the domain of computer technology is acceptable. For example, an essay on gun-control would be inappropriate, whereas an essay on the computer records, and licensing of gun users would be acceptable.
The paper is be both a research, and a position paper. That is, one needs to take a stand on a particular issue and not just describe the parameters of the issue, listing the pros and cons. Rather one needs to take a firm stand, and make a case for the view being expressed. For example, if one is writing on the issue of citizen privacy, and government demands for increased access to private information, one needs to both argue for or against the central feature of the issue, and come to a conclusion. The conclusion would be a result of presenting the relevant information, the ethical argument, and arriving a a convincing conclusion.
Technical tips:
• Avoid the sands of time introduction to the paper, and move directly to the point.
• Have a strong opening thesis statement affirming what the paper is going to accomplish.
• Make judicious use of examples: in a paper of this length, two or most three examples would be sufficient.
• Avoid the use of contemporary jargon.
• Assume your reader has little or no information about the topic.
• Any technical terms, then, will need to be explained.
• Use at least three outside sources.
If at any time, you have any questions, please do not hesitate to inquire.