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Computer Science 450
Research Paper
Thesis Statement: Due 9/24/2008
First Draft Due: 11/5/2008
Final Paper Due: 12/10/2008
You must pick a specific issue with respect to the impact
computers have had on society. Below are
some examples of thesis statements for papers to satisfy this requirement. Your first task is to develop you own thesis
statement. Your thesis statement must be
approved by the instructor before you begin work on your paper. Your paper must include all of the following:
- Thesis
statement Identify what your paper is going to discuss
- The
background for the issue of your paper Explain what it was like before
computers began to have an effect in this area.
- The
impact of computers Discuss how computers have changed this area, that
is, how things are done now compared to how they were done before
computers were used.
- History
of computer impact Describe how the use of computers in this area have
changed/grown over the years.
- Benefits
to society Explain how computers have benefited this area, that is, what
are the positive impacts that computers have had.
- Disadvantages
to society Explain the problems or harm computers have done in this
area.
- Ethical
issues Discuss any ethical issues that are relevant to this area
- Future
impacts Explain how things are likely to change in the future and
whether the change(s) will have a positive or negative impact on society.
- Analysis
Based on the information you have collected try to give a clear picture
of the current situation and identify any causes for concern.
- Legal
or other changes necessary Identify any changes to current laws or
practices that you thing are necessary with respect to the use of
computers in this area.
- Conclusion
Summarize the key points of your paper
Example thesis statements:
- While
computers can be used to provide more individualized instruction to
students the overall effect of the use of computers in the classroom has a
negative effect on learning.
- Computer
games contribute to increased violence among teenagers.
- Intellectual
property rights inhibit progress in the field of computer science.
- The
digital divide which separates the haves from the have nots regarding access to computing creates severe
societal problems.
- Although
censorship is a partial solution to the access of inappropriate material
by children using the Internet, the negative impact of such censorship is
far greater.
- The
disadvantages to society in granting intellectual property rights to
software outweigh the benefits.
- Current
laws should be changed to protect the privacy of individuals in our
society.