Response to a scientific article

For this assignment, you are to select an article (not longer than 10 pages) relevant to our class and of interest to you, and write a response to it. Your essay will include 1-2 paragraphs summarizing the article and 1-2 paragraphs where you reflect on a few ideas that are intriguing to you. Make sure that you select an article you understand!

The article must relate to computer science, computing, software, or programming. It can include applications in other fields. Here is an example of what it will look like.

Resources

Use one of the following resources to select an online publication you like. Most come from the online ACM Digital Libray.

• XRDS Crossroads: The ACM Magazine for Students: the official ACM magazine for student members. Each issue features a theme, such as “Wearable Computing” or “Health Informatics,” and XRDS brings exciting research trends, interviews, columns, and even career advice articles related to that theme and relevant to computer science students.
• Communications of the ACM: the premier chronicler of computing technologies, covering the latest discoveries, innovations, and research that inspire and influence the field. Each month, Communications brings readers in-depth stories of emerging areas of computer science, new trends in IT, and practical research applications. Industry leaders choose Communications to debate technology implications, public policies, engineering challenges, and market trends.
• Ubiquity: weekly Web-based publication, dedicated to fostering critical analysis and in-depth commentary on issues relating to the nature, constitution, structure, science, engineering, technology, practices and paradigms of the IT profession.
• Quanta Magazine: Computer Science

Timeline

• 3% Summary: 1-2 paragraph summary of the article in your own words. Include your own title above the paragraph. Include a PDF of the article you read.
• 7% Final paper: 1 page (1.5 line spacing, 12 pt font) complete summary and reflection. Include a title above and a reference at the end of your paper. Include a PDF of the article you read. If you use quotation marks, make sure you reference that text. Use the recommended formatting illustrated in the example.

Grading

You will be graded based on timely and correct submissions, as well as grammar, content, and correct formatting. This assignment as about quality not quantity. Its purpose is to train students to (1) choose an appropriate article, (2) write a concise summary, (3) express a point of view, and (4) use a reference.

Be clear in your writing. The reader must understand your points and learn something from your paper. Read your paper 1-2 times after you have completed it; you will certainly find mistakes or unclear points that you can fix before your submission. Consider booking an appointment with the Writing Center for feedback on your paper before you submit it.

How to submit

Submit the following items to Moodle as a PDF (no .docx, no .pages, etc.)

Summary:

• PDF 1-2 paragraphs summary, 1.5 line spacing, 12 pt font, include your name and title
• PDF article of choice

Final Paper:

• PDF 1 page paper containing 1-2 paragraphs summary and 1-2 paragraphs reflection, 1.5 line spacing, 12 pt font, include your name and title, include reference of your article
• PDF article of choice