Post 6
Post 6
THESIS RESEARCH AND WRITING
Lecture on Research Principles
I. Opening Comments
By now you are well on your way to completing your Review of Literature. This assignment will help you as you start to look at what parts of your research you will want to include in the final paper/presentation. Make sure that you not only select great information, but also that you apply good techniques in documenting your sources.
II. That Which Sets You Apart from Others Is Your Thought
A research paper presents the results of your investigations on a selected topic. Based on your own thoughts and the facts and ideas you have gathered from a variety of sources, a research paper is a creation that is uniquely yours. The experience of gathering, interpreting, and documenting information, developing and organizing ideas and conclusions, and communicating them clearly will prove to be an important and satisfying part of your education. (A Guide to Writing Research Papers . nd. Capital Community College. Accessed June 7, 2006
III. Print versus Digital
Printed versions of many reference books are still available and will be always in our libraries. It is, however, virtually impossible to get younger students to use them if automated alternatives are available. The key, then, is to grasp the issue of quality when discussing sources.
There is a widespread belief, especially among younger learners, that almost everything worth reading is available for free on the web. And that which is available is thought to be authoritative since it is seen on the screen. But is seeing ALWAYS believing?? Check out this link and see for yourself: http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/l/lastpic.htm
Two litmus tests survive to give validity to information, even of things found on the World Wide Web. The first is the issue of authorship. Is there one listed? Does a recognized organization host the website, such as a university or a registered not-for-profit agency? Can the source of the information, then, be verified? This is most important.
The second test is like unto the first. It is whether or not the information you seek to quote has been reviewed by others who are recognized experts in the field. There are literally thousands of urban legends that make their way to the ‘Net daily, so even primary sources can be kooks. What validates good information is whether or not another person with recognized credentials has read, analyzed, and reported on the information. Like any good experiment that must be replicated by outside scientists, peer review of written research is a key to inclusion in a presentation paper such as you are preparing.
III. Five Step Process
a. Who is the author?
b. What is the context of the quote (A good quote about children lifted from a website about ground squirrels does not merit inclusion in a scholarly paper or presentation about children’s ministry if it is taken out of context)?
c. How recently was the source updated (good information is reviewed and updated regularly)?
d. Can the information be externally verified (this is where the peer-review comes in)?
e. What is the value of the source, especially a web based source, versus another source?
IV. Citing the sources
a. Giving honor to whom honor is due
b. Giving honor consistently
i. Anytime one uses direct quotes
ii. Anytime one paraphrases the words of others
iii. Anytime one use another’s thoughts
c. Giving honor accurately
i. Form and Style Guide
1. We shall employ the MLA format of citation in your work.
2. Check out the following link for help: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/
ii. Remember- Not following the rules can cost you BIG TIME!
d. Utilizing quotes
i. Quotes do not “adorn” a paper, like meatballs on spaghetti
ii. Quotes should be woven into the paper, like sauce mixed in with the spaghetti
1. Make at least a one sentence transition into the quote, introducing the quote and making it relative to the thought in that part of the paper
2. Utilize at least three to four sentences after the quote to explain it. Interact with the information in the quote.
3. You MUST have a reason to include the quote!!!!
V. Follow the links listed below and do the exercise on the site. Then return and write a summary paragraph for each on the class site
a. http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:aouDvfVOYrsJ:lumen.georgetown.edu/projects/posterTool/data/users/Writing%2520for%2520Impact2.doc+%22research+papers%22%2Bsources%2Bvetting&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=5 Look Specifically for the information listed under “Tuesday November 22nd – Project due” Focus on the section “Research” but take notes on the part immediately above titled, “Storyboarding.” This will be helpful when you turn in your project outline (soon!)
b. http://www-apps.umuc.edu/primer/enter.php If you fill out the e-mail information a copy of your answers will be sent to you and you can forward it to me @ wmartin@abcnash.edu .
THESIS RESEARCH AND WRITING
Lecture on Research Principles
I. Opening Comments
By now you are well on your way to completing your Review of Literature. This assignment will help you as you start to look at what parts of your research you will want to include in the final paper/presentation. Make sure that you not only select great information, but also that you apply good techniques in documenting your sources.
II. That Which Sets You Apart from Others Is Your Thought
A research paper presents the results of your investigations on a selected topic. Based on your own thoughts and the facts and ideas you have gathered from a variety of sources, a research paper is a creation that is uniquely yours. The experience of gathering, interpreting, and documenting information, developing and organizing ideas and conclusions, and communicating them clearly will prove to be an important and satisfying part of your education. (A Guide to Writing Research Papers . nd. Capital Community College. Accessed June 7, 2006
III. Print versus Digital
Printed versions of many reference books are still available and will be always in our libraries. It is, however, virtually impossible to get younger students to use them if automated alternatives are available. The key, then, is to grasp the issue of quality when discussing sources.
There is a widespread belief, especially among younger learners, that almost everything worth reading is available for free on the web. And that which is available is thought to be authoritative since it is seen on the screen. But is seeing ALWAYS believing?? Check out this link and see for yourself: http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/l/lastpic.htm
Two litmus tests survive to give validity to information, even of things found on the World Wide Web. The first is the issue of authorship. Is there one listed? Does a recognized organization host the website, such as a university or a registered not-for-profit agency? Can the source of the information, then, be verified? This is most important.
The second test is like unto the first. It is whether or not the information you seek to quote has been reviewed by others who are recognized experts in the field. There are literally thousands of urban legends that make their way to the ‘Net daily, so even primary sources can be kooks. What validates good information is whether or not another person with recognized credentials has read, analyzed, and reported on the information. Like any good experiment that must be replicated by outside scientists, peer review of written research is a key to inclusion in a presentation paper such as you are preparing.
III. Five Step Process
a. Who is the author?
b. What is the context of the quote (A good quote about children lifted from a website about ground squirrels does not merit inclusion in a scholarly paper or presentation about children’s ministry if it is taken out of context)?
c. How recently was the source updated (good information is reviewed and updated regularly)?
d. Can the information be externally verified (this is where the peer-review comes in)?
e. What is the value of the source, especially a web based source, versus another source?
IV. Citing the sources
a. Giving honor to whom honor is due
b. Giving honor consistently
i. Anytime one uses direct quotes
ii. Anytime one paraphrases the words of others
iii. Anytime one use another’s thoughts
c. Giving honor accurately
i. Form and Style Guide
1. We shall employ the MLA format of citation in your work.
2. Check out the following link for help: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/
ii. Remember- Not following the rules can cost you BIG TIME!
d. Utilizing quotes
i. Quotes do not “adorn” a paper, like meatballs on spaghetti
ii. Quotes should be woven into the paper, like sauce mixed in with the spaghetti
1. Make at least a one sentence transition into the quote, introducing the quote and making it relative to the thought in that part of the paper
2. Utilize at least three to four sentences after the quote to explain it. Interact with the information in the quote.
3. You MUST have a reason to include the quote!!!!
V. Follow the links listed below and do the exercise on the site. Then return and write a summary paragraph for each on the class site
a. http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:aouDvfVOYrsJ:lumen.georgetown.edu/projects/posterTool/data/users/Writing%2520for%2520Impact2.doc+%22research+papers%22%2Bsources%2Bvetting&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=5 Look Specifically for the information listed under “Tuesday November 22nd – Project due” Focus on the section “Research” but take notes on the part immediately above titled, “Storyboarding.” This will be helpful when you turn in your project outline (soon!)
b. http://www-apps.umuc.edu/primer/enter.php If you fill out the e-mail information a copy of your answers will be sent to you and you can forward it to me @ wmartin@abcnash.edu .
posted by Doc | 7:11 AM
3 Comments:
No need to answer my question on the previous post Dr. Martin. After visiting the required links, I now realize that effective literature review can consist on articles and books. I will try to find five books in the library tomorrow night that will support my literature review. The Georgetown link was very helpful in reiterating the importance of making sure your topic reaches your target audience and is clear in it's intent.
The second link was more of a tutorial. Unless I missed something, there was nothing to answer. It simply guided me through a presentation about copyright, it's origin, it's nature, and the history. It was a lot of helpful information to make sure in making sure I don't commit plaigerism in completing my literature review. I will visit the site again to look for the segment to give feedback. I did, however, submit my email address when prompted.
Mr. Harris,
Glad you are caught up. And it sounds like you are grasping the concept of the class. That is good. I'm not sure what happened, though, with the presentation on copywrite. I have, in the past, gotten e-mail notification of a student's participation in that site. Still, I'll take your word on it. Good job.
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