1. Biology of Water and Health Research Project Guidance (2005)

1.1. Purpose

The purpose of the written project is to provide all participants with the chance to explore in-depth a topic of relevance to the course. The research project will form the basis for both a written submission, described below, and the preparation of a poster which will be presented in our last class meeting.

1.2. Scope Statement

• Two pages in length.

• Provides justification for the selection of your proposed water and human or ecological impact related problem.

• Justification may be provided via a variety of criteria such as disease incidence/prevalence, economic impacts, rate of change, size of affected populations, severity of the deleterious effect, does an intervention exist?, etc.

1.3. Final Format of the Written Project

• Due two days after the poster session presentation. This will allow for any modifications prompted by discussions concerning your project which occur at the poster session.

• Not to exceed 15 pages in length with references heavily emphasizing primary sources.

1.4. Structure Template

• Two- three pages should address the boundaries of the problem

• Three- four pages should include a synthesis of background literature

• Three- four pages should list available interventions¹

• Three- four pages should provide conclusions and recommendations.

¹ Interventions could be novel and innovative, i.e. not bound by existing practice.

1.5. Examples of Possible Research Project Topics

• Possible behavioral and systemic mechanisms to ameliorate As contamination in Bangladesh.

• Definition of and mounting interventions for emerging water pollutants in the United States.

• The privatization of water supply on a global basis: A positive or pernicious influence from a human health perspective?

• Making the case to shore up global water data acquisition and dissemination.