Research Paper:
A research paper can be on any topic involving databases.  As a guideline, the paper should be 8-10 pages.  This is a guideline.  The content of the paper is more important than the length.

One possible format for a paper might be:

1. Introduction – Short description of background material, establish the point that you will make.
2. Background – A summary and review of background literature.
3. Your Opinion - State your opinion. Make novel points that are based on your deductions. Compare and contrast points from the literature to each other and to your points.
4. Conclusion – Summarize your point and arguments. Discuss any further work that you think can be done.

Grading the Research Paper

Your resaerch paper will be graded on the following elements:

Format:

• Paper title - The paper should have a title that clearly describes the content of the paper.
• Labelled sections - The paper should have labeled sections where the label describes what will be discussed in the paper.
• Structure - The paper should have well-formed paragraphs with a topic sentence, and following sentences that are relevant to the topic. When a new topic is introduced, a new paragraph should be started.
• Flow - The paper should have a good flow between paragraphs and between sections. There should be a sentence either at the end of a section, or at the beginning of the next (or both) that transitions from one topic to the next.
• Grammar - The paper should use good English grammar, and should have words properly spelled. This is easily checked with a spell checker and even a grammar checker.
• References - References should be well-cited within the text, and listed at the end of the paper.

Content:

• Relevance - The paper should describe a topic that is relevant and interesting to this course.
• Motivation - The issues to be discussed in the paper should be addressed right up front. There should be an introduction section that motivates the topic, and discusses the issues to be covered in the rest of the paper.
• Background - The paper should provide whatever background is necessary to allow the reader to understand the topics in the paper. The assumption should be that the reader is another student in this class.
• Facts - The bulk of the paper should be used to present facts and information about the chosen topic. These facts should be presented in a way that makes sense, and is easily understood by the reader.
• Analysis and Speculation - The paper should include with a summary and analysis of the work that has been done in the chosen topic.

 Implementation Project:
An implementation project can be any implementation involving databases.  You can use whatever system resources are available to students in the Computer Science Department, and any other resources you may have available.  Under certain circumstances, special arrangements may be made to use resources that are not generally available to all students.  This will be decided on an individual basis.

Grading the Implementation Project

If you choose to implement a database application, your final report should include at least the following:

• Application Description - A written description of the application for which you are creating a database. Decribe the problem that exists and how your implementation will help to solve it.
• Data Description - A written description of the data that is stored in the database, and the purpose it serves in solving the problem described above.
• Conceptual Database Design - An ER model description of the data and relationships in the database. Be sure to include all relevant aspects of the ER design.
• Relational Design - If you have implemented your database using a relational model, this should include a description of the database schema. Be sure to indicate any interesting issues that arose when mapping from the ER model to the relational model. Indicate primary keys and any foreign keys in the database schema.
• Relational Analysis - An analysis of the relational design. Discuss the normal forms in which you have created the database.
• Query Description - A description of any queries that you implemented in your application. Show the SQL code as well as a description of what they do and when they are invoked.
• Program Code - A listing of the code you used to implement the database application.
• Other Information - A discussion of any other information that you think is important to note about your implementation.
• Optional Demonstration - If you feel that along with all of the written information you will provide, a demonstration of your application will enhance my ability to evaluate your project, we can set up a time for you to show me your work.

If you have implemented something other than a database application, your final report should include at least the following:

• Problem Description - A description of the problem your implementation is attempting to solve.
• Solution Description - A description of your solution.
• Program Code - Any code you produced.
• Results - A discussion of the results of your work. This can include printouts of program results as well as a written description of the results.
• References - A listing of any references you used in producing your project.