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First Research Assignment
This document provides guidance on researching and writing a first assignment. It discusses four key concepts: 1) identifying if a research question is discrete or complex, 2) finding key terms to search for information, 3) choosing relevant sources, and 4) evaluating sources for authority, accuracy and currency. Examples are provided for applying these concepts when researching questions about poems, current events, programming syntax and historical movements.
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First Research Assignment
- 1. Intersections Section O Fall 2008 FirstResearch Assignment
- 2. Concepts 1. Type ofquestion 2. Finding key terms 3. Choosing sources 4. Evaluating sources
- 3. Type of Question •Discrete – Specific and straightforward – Examples 2. Year of convocation address? 4. Syntax of while loop? 10. Who is leading the presidential race?
- 4. Type of Question •Complex – Not necessarily one “right” answer; may require consulting more than one source per question – Examples 1. What others think about A noiseless patient spider 6. Current relationship between U.S. and India? 8. Goal of liberation theology movement?
- 5. Key Terms • Examples 6.Relationship between the U.S. and India • Relationship, U.S., India 8. Goal of liberation theology movement in Latin America • Goal, liberation theology movement, Latin America 4. Java programming language syntax of while loop • Java programming language, syntax, while loop • Also think about synonyms and broader terms
- 6. Choosing and Evaluating Sources Purpose Authority Content Accuracy Currency "TheTourist Guy (Accidental Tourist)." Urban Legends. About.com. 2 Sep. 2008 <http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/blphoto-wtc.htm>.
Editor's Notes
- #2 Good morning! Last week you received a list of 10 questions. Today I will speak about how to go about finding the answers, I’m not going to necessarily give you the answer. As we progress through the semester we will speak in more detail about the concepts covered today.To begin with, be sure that you have the assignment in front of you.
- #3 Linear approach – going through these four steps for each question will help you decide what materials and type of answer you should have.
- #4 Specific and straightforward - often one word or few words answers.Examples2. When. Google advanced search – exact phrase “Claiming an Education” – all words Adrienne Rich – limit to edu domain4. Catalog – keyword vs. subject10. Newspapers – Newsbank, LexisNexis
- #5 Examples:1. Who would be commenting about Walt Whitman’s works? (LRC)6. What kind of relationship, e.g., economic/trade, political, military, etc.8. Is there only one goal? What kind of information presented in different resources? Requires more examination of question, and since you are dealing with authors who may have different opinions, you may have to use more than one source to answer the question.
- #7 Think about these items especially in regards to Web sites and documents - not all material online is reliable (not so much for library materials or databases). Don’t believe everything you see!