Semester 2, 2015/2016GE1101E/GEK1001 GEOGRAPHICAL JOURNEYS: EXPLORING WORLD ENVIRONMENTS Group Project Guide ___________________________________________________________________ I) Writing Format Title page: With module code and title, your project title (use your imagiation!), names of group members and tutorial group. You may wish to include a picture(s) related to your research topic or of your group members. Introduction: Background to ‘commodity chains’ or ‘globalisation of cultures/communities etc.’ and a brief description of your chosen research topic. You should demonstrate a sound and convincing connection between your chosen theme (which may be quite specific) and the Group Project Topic. Definitions: Your project should make use of specific concepts and key terms as covered in lectures or readings (please use academic and geographical sources as far as possible). You are expected to define them and explain how they relate to your specific topic. Remember to make use of references if you are using ideas or quotes from particular authors. Methodology: A brief account of your data collection methods, and describe the types of primary and/or secondary data sources you have used. Analysis of findings: Explain and analyse how your research topic relates to commodity chains or landscapes of globalisation by making use of the data you have collected. You can offer quotes from interviewees, photographs, personal observations and secondary data to support your case. Note: this constitutes the main part of your essay and should therefore be the most substantive. Use subheadings as appropriate. Conclusion: A short summary of what you have learned about the concept of commodity chains or globalisation in light of your research topic. You may also include some personal reflection on how the project has changed your views about production, consumption, migration, consumption and/or globalisation (whichever is appropriate for your topic). References: List all sources that you have referred to in the main body of your writing. Follow the format given in this Group Project Guide. Appendix: This part is optional and relevant only if you have conducted field work. You may list interview questions, provide some background information of the interviewees and date(s) of interview(s). There is no need to present the entire interview transcript. You can also include field notes or photographs taken during any observations/field visits that are not presented within the main write-up. Notes: GE1101E/GEK1001 1 World Trade Organisation. tables. The Internet is a wonderful resource but needs to be used with care. telephone or email) Focus groups Participant or non-participant observation Secondary data: This refers to data or findings that have been published or reported by someone else.nus. The penalty of late submission is one sub-grade per day (i. UNHCR. The deadline for Topic 2 “Landscapes of Globalisation” is on Monday 28 March 2016. television programmes.500 words (excluding references. figures.g. but should NOT be your sole source of research information. annual reports of corporations. Please print double sided.g. programmes of United Nations e. Some useful resources Databases (via NUS Library Portal http://libportal.). apply the rule of reputation and credentials). Wikipedia (and other similar usergenerated content) could be a convenient place to start your initial search and for some ideas. 5pm. UNICEF. (Please do not cite Wikipedia – follow the source!) Web content published by established and reputable agencies and organisations are usually more reliable than personal websites or social media websites (again. although you are encouraged to do so where feasible. leaving generous margins for comments to be written. regular or ad-hoc reports from firms and NGOs) Archival data (from the National Archives or other archival bodies) Mass media (newspapers.sg/): JSTOR GE1101E/GEK1001 2 .for being one day late. Essays should be of minimum font size 12. Sources of secondary data include: Academic journal articles and books Official statistics (published by national departments. or other official bodies) Trade and industry reports or press releases (e. Primary data collection could take the form of: Questionnaire surveys Interviews (in person. appendix). from A to B+ for being 2 days late etc. Data Collection & Field Work Your research project is based on the analysis of data on your chosen topic. 5pm.e. The deadline for Topic 1 “The Commodity Chain Of…” is on Monday 7 March 2016. films) Note: Be aware and selective when using sources from the Internet. Primary data (optional): This refers to data that you have collected personally from the field. This could be in the form of primary or secondary data. UNCTAD. footnotes. International Labour Organisation. with double spacing. All projects should be deposited into a mailbox labeled GE1101E/GEK1001 opposite the Department of Geography General Office (AS2 #03-01). from A to A.Semester 2. 2015/2016 II) Your group project essay should not exceed 2. magazines. It is not compulsory for you to conduct field work and collect primary data for this group project.edu. worldbank. ideas. This list appears at the end of a report or essay and is arranged in alphabetical order (based on the last name of authors or organisation). followed by year and page numbers (for direct quotes lifted from a journal or book). Generally. What are references? This is a list of the books/journals/web URLs/news articles that you have cited in the body of your essay or report. data or information that you use in writing your essay or report. you should cite that source.sg/) News and media: The Straits Times (and other national newspapers) The Economist Wall Street Journal International Herald Tribune New York Times Time III) Citations & References What are in-text citations? These are references made in the body of the essay or report acknowledging the source of a certain idea. 2013). Give credit where it is due or you may unwittingly commit plagiarism. when you use statistics/tables/figures from a published source. you should cite them in the body of your essay or report.can search by country or region or sector ILO publications (http://www.ilo.htm) Websites of various United Nations programmes (https://www. newspaper reports. magazines and Internet sources. Similarly. government reports. Example 1: Analysing commodity chains brings into view the idea of ethical consumption (Lai. For example: note the “REFERENCES” or “BIBLIOGRAPHY” that appear at the end of each chapter or journal article in your reading list. 2013: 25).gov. chapters in edited books.Semester 2. conference papers. Example 2: It is important to study production and consumption as an interrelated process as “analysing commodity chains brings into view the idea of ethical consumption” (Lai. 2015/2016 Web of Science Science Direct FACTIVA (for current and old newspaper articles) Google Scholar Official statistics and reports: World Bank reports (http://publications.org/global/publications/lang--en/index. Do I need to cite? When you use someone’s idea or argument. journals. GE1101E/GEK1001 3 .org/) . These are normally indicated within brackets by the last name of the author(s). data and information are drawn from books.org/en/aboutun/structure/) Department of Statistics Singapore (http://www.singstat. These are known as secondary data.un. e.php?pid=214901&sid=1788122 IV) Plagiarism Academic achievement is evaluated on the basis of work that students produce independently. or a pseudonym if you have created a name to protect the interviewees’ identities.cdtl. 2015/2016 Do I need to cite primary sources of date? Yes.edu. do not wait till it is too late. The NUS library also offers a citation guide and links to resources that explain how to cite or reference different types of data (including Internet sources): http://libguides.sg/success/sl7. You can check journal articles from The Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography for a sample of citation/referencing style. year.e. be officially reprimanded with a record in his/her student dossier.g. please contact your tutor or lecture early so that we can help.nus. author. Plagiarism is presenting some other person’s work as one’s own. The standard referencing style for the NUS Geography Department is the Harvard Style (i. you do! You do not list them in the REFERENCES at the end of your report but you have to cite your sources within the main text.edu.nus.nus. (field observation.htm GE1101E/GEK1001 4 . which is a very serious offence in NUS. page no.). e.g. If you are facing difficulties with your work. the student may be assigned zero marks or have a reduction of grades for the assignment. receive a fail grade for the module. For survey data. “I love Geography!” (Last name or pseudonym.edu. (survey. Styles for citations and references There are many styles for in-text citations and references. You should do the same for data collected from personal observations or field visits.sg/ac/ (> click to launch the e-module > select ‘Plagiarism’ from table of contents) http://www. date of interview).g. check with your tutor! For more information on how the university views plagiarism: http://emodule. date of observation).sg/content. Depending on the severity of the case.Semester 2. February 2013). e. indicate the date or month that the survey was conducted. When in doubt. Make sure that you observe the academic conventions of citations and references to avoid being accused of plagiarism. For interview data. either use the person’s name if s/he does not mind being named. or even suspended from university.