STEP 1: FIND RELEVANT ARTICLES
A prerequisite for conducting a library search is developing a set of keywords. For instance, if you want to get articles on “air pollution in Ontario”, you should probably use ‘keywords’ such as air pollution, environment, Ontario. Input your keywords into electronic resources and specific bibliographic databases, such as Geography, PAIS, Social Science Abstracts, and Social Work.
While preparing the reading list collect and read the abstracts only. Your goal at this stage should be to get an idea about the authors, their theoretical perspectives and general arguments, and research methods (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods). Ask yourself how this article may be related to your selected research topic.
STEP 3: PREPARING THE FINAL READING LIST
Your final reading list should consist of at least 6 sources in peer-reviewed journals. The essay is around 2000 words (title page, graphs, maps, and bibliography excluded). Use Times New Roman style and 12-size font. Papers must be 1.5 space. Students should follow the APA style.
Grammar and Style:
Before submitting your work, please make sure that you have conducted a spell and grammar check in Word and made appropriate subheadings. In order to write a good essay, it is not enough to have thoughtful arguments, but also to present them in a clear and organized fashion. The goal is to make the essay accessible and a pleasure to read.
The essay must be provided in hard copy and an electronic copy submitted to Turnitin by the essay deadline date (penalty for non-compliance 20%). Digital submissions are not accepted. Here is a non-exhaustive list of Peer Reviewed Journals whose focus is on the environment:
Energy & Environment
Energy and Environmental Science
Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy
McGill International Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy
American Journal of Agricultural Economics
Ecological Economics
Land Economics
Marine Resource Economics
Environmental Health Perspectives