Please see attached file for all information on the project. The project will be on the declining coral reefs in Indonesia. There is a ton of information available on coral reef decline/impacts - related to climate change, pollution, erosion/turbidity/runoff, and other impacts such as chemical and dynamite fishing. Students should imagine they are in the employ of a federal or provincial Minister of Agriculture, Conservation, Economic Development, Intergovernmental Affairs, Urban Affairs, Water Stewardship, etc. (or any other Provincial or Federal department) as a research assistant. Starting salaries for these positions range between $35,000 - $50,000 per year). The Minister has advised the employee (you) that a detailed report is required within approximately one month on a particular issue. The Minister is to answer questions from the Opposition in the House at that time. There will also be extensive media inquiries. The Minister has no previous knowledge regarding the issue, but will need (and must appear) to – when the issue “goes public” and the Minister has to respond to questions from the media or politicians. Project Requirements The Minister has requested the following (in a clear, professional, easy to read package): a) A reference list of the eight (8) most recent, most significant, and highest quality “peer reviewed” journal articles on the topic (official scientific and government reports can also be acceptable if of high quality). Do not include the actual articles in the package (just reference them appropriately). b) A concise summary of each article`s content, focusing on the most useful information and current scientific research which is occurring. The aim here is to make every word count in describing the article`s useful information. Do not attempt to analyze the article or provide your own options regarding the issue, and do not write a book report with a lot of “interpretive” language. Just provide the results of the research in an unbiased format – minimizing duplication of any similar information presented in multiple articles. Each summary must be no longer that 250 words (each on one sheet of paper), with a proper journal citation at the top – as a “working title” for each summary (pick your favorite citation style from any quality peer-reviewed journal); and c) A 1500 word Executive Summary of the current state of knowledge regarding the issue based on the cumulative content of all eight (8) articles, and possibly some additional information sources which were not reviewed as part of the first eight (8). The 1500 word guideline is approximate; you can go a bit longer if you feel more space is warranted; I have not seen a good summary shorter than this. In the Executive Summary, proper referencing is critical. This comprehensive Executive Summary should clearly state how much is known, what is not known, what issues require further study, and what the ramifications of the issue are. The aim here is to develop the art of synthesis and critical analysis. Comprehension is the key. You may add some of your own burning opinions on the issue during the final paragraphs, as long as you can substantiate them based on the information you have synthesized. For improved clarity and structure, headings similar to the following should be used (it may also be appropriate to add sub-headings within these): • • • The Issue (background/overview); Current Trends (research/developments); Recommendations or Options for Consideration. The goal is to provide any intelligent individual with a clear picture of the issues so they can be absorbed quickly and readily, in order to give the impression that the Minister is knowledgeable and has all pertinent information available to them. This sound method of research is applicable in any real-life research or project management situation. A student who can find the most current information in the peer-reviewed literature, can describe it clearly, and can summarize/analyze it, is doing exactly what is required in the real world (where you get paid), whether as an employee or an independent consultant. This is a large part of what Information Literacy ultimately means. Acceptable sources include: professional journals, scientific reports, official government reports. Unacceptable sources include: newspapers, popular magazines, unsubstantiated Internet info.