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Research PaperPrint-Friendly Version
ASSIGNMENT: Perform traditional library research on a controversial aspect of the mass media from a computer, using Proquest, Infotrac or EbscoHost. Write and submit a 1500 + word research paper which argues both sides of the issue.
SUBMISSION OF PAPER
PREFERRED METHOD:
Submit your paper to Turnitin just as you submitted your Internet Search Project.
The class ID for the 10:30 section is 1446525
The class ID for the 1:30 section is 1446526
ALTERNATE METHOD:
If you have trouble submitting your paper to Turnitin, send it directly to my email at: grobman@fhda.edu following these directions:
In the subject line, write exactly:
RESEARCH PAPER (YOUR LAST NAME, YOUR FIRST NAME) JOUR 2 (SECTION NUMBER)
for example:
RESEARCH PAPER (JONES, SALLY) JOUR 2 (01) or
RESEARCH PAPER (NGUYEN, JON) JOUR 2 (61z)
You may submit your paper as:
(1) a Microsoft Word attachment
(2) an AppleWorks attachment
(3) within an email.
Please do not submit a WordPerfect attachment.
Failure to label the subject line correctly may result in a lost paper.
STANDARDS FOR THE PAPER
Carefully follow the instructions 1-6 (below). The grade will be lowered if these instructions aren't followed.
1. Develop your topic from any one of the Media Controversies discussed in the textbook. You may have to narrow the subject down, and you're allowed to change your topic slightly to fit your interests. (For example, if the controversy is written as "some men's magazines promote sexual stereotypes" you could change your topic to "some women's magazines promote sexual stereotypes." You will argue two sides of the controversy, so choose a subject that has at least two opposing viewpoints.
If your topic has to do with effects of of the media, you should read the text chapter on effects (Chapter 13) before writing your paper, as it will have pertinent information.
2. Research the topic by looking for articles about your topic from at least two of these three search tools: Proquest, Infotrac, EbscoHost. (Access to them is explained below.)
3. The paper must make attribution to or quote at least SEVEN sources; the textbook must be one source. At least two other sources must be from 2004, 2005 and/or 2006. I encourage you to use at least one or two scholarly or academic journals (as opposed to consumer magazines). Do not use an encyclopedia as one of your seven sources.
A notes about sources and quotes:
(a) Sources for information should be experts (scholars, professors, researchers, business leaders) in that field and factual information should be backed up with research and/or statistics. (In other words, just because you found someone (a source) who gave a statement that was reported in print, it doesn't mean that statement is a fact that you can use in your paper.)
(b) Information should be directly attributed to experts. Phrases such as "it is a well-known fact that ..." may not be used -- the information must be attributed to a research study. Also, phrases like, "statistics prove" or "research proves" may not be used. Instead use "statistics indicate," "statistics reveal," "research indicates," or "research reveals."
4. The paper should be a minium of 1500 words. The paper should be single spaced with a double space between paragraphs. The bibliography is not part of the word count. There is no maxiumum word count.
5. The paper should be written in MLA style, with in-text parenthetical citations. Sources must be attributed within the paper in addition to being listed in the bibliography.
6. The paper should be ORGANIZED AND LABELED in this way, using these headings:
PART 1: INTRODUCTION
Explain what the controversy is about (without your opinion).
PART 2: ONE SIDE OF THE CONTROVERSY
Discuss one side of the controversy, using quotes, attributions and examples from your research (without your opinion).
PART 3: ANOTHER SIDE OF THE CONTROVERSY
Discuss another (or the other) side of the controversy, using quotes, attributions and examples from your research (without your opinion). Typically, this is an opposing side from the one stated above and should be of equal influence.
PART 4: MY OPINION
Discuss your opinion of the controversy based not on your "feelings," but on what you learned during the research. Back up your opinion with research findings.
PART 5: BIBLIOGRAPHY
Use MLA bibliographic style, PLUS, for all Internet searches, add an additional brief paragraph below each bibliographic listing including the name of the search tool you used (Proquest, Infotrac, EbscoHost, Google Scholar, Infomine.ucr.edu ), the search words you used, and the date you performed the search.
Your may want to print out a copy of my Grading Sheet to self-check your paper before turning it in.
NEED HELP?
GENERAL ONLINE HELP
For help with citing sources within the paper, see Duke University's site at:
http://www.lib.duke.edu/libguide/within.htm
For help with bibliographic style, see Duke University's site at:
http://www.lib.duke.edu/libguide/works_cited)
OR, to make it really easy go to http://www.citationmachine.net
For help determining the difference between a scholarly journal and a popular (or consumer) magazine, see Duke University's site at
http://www.lib.duke.edu/libguide/popvs.schol.htm
For help with writing a research paper, see Purdue University's site at:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResearchW/
For help making sure that you are not plagairing, see Purdue University's site at:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/research/r_plagiar.html
INDIVIDUAL ONLINE HELP
De Anza has Online tutoring to help students with the writing, grammar and organization of their papers. Priority is given to distance learning students. You'll need to fill out an application, and have at least a rough draft of your paper ready. It will take up to 2 working days after you submit your paper to hear back from a tutor. Your tutor will not proofread or edit your essay, but will provide guidance to help you improve the esay yourself. (2 points extra credit for proof that you used online tutoring for help with your paper.)
ON-CAMPUS HELP
De Anza has a Writing and Reading Center in SC3 (the new Science Building), where there is drop-in and appointment tutoring. Bring this assignment along if you go there for help with your research paper. (2 points extra credit for proof that you used the Writing and Reading Center for help with your paper.)
RESEARCH
One of the problems with Internet research is that you have to be very careful in determining the accuracy, reliability, and currency of the information you find. You can find some terrific up-to-date information, but you can also stumble across complete garbage. That's because just about anyone can put up a Web site, and it hasn't necessarily gone though the "gatekeeper" functions that most print journals have gone though. In addition, much of the serious empirical research in many fields has not been freely distributed on the Internet.
On the other hand, a big advantage of Internet research is the convenience. Being able to research from your home, at whatever time you like, just can't be beat.
The De Anza library subscribes to online indexes and full-text search services that allow you to access print journal articles online. In other words, even though you're finding these articles online, they are generally print articles that have gone through the gatekeeping process, just "reprinted" electronically. These search services, Proquest, Ebscohost , and Infotrac are the same ones that you'd use in a university or college library, but as a De Anza student, you can use them from any computer with access to the Internet. Some of the resources available though these services are consumer magazines, but you will also find scholarly academic journals.
HOW TO USE PROQUEST, EBSCOHOST, INFOTRAC
Magazine and Newspaper Indexes and Search Engines
All information accessed through these searches, and subsequently used directly or indirectly in student papers, needs to be cited. Not citing the source within the paper and in the bibliograpy is considered plagiarism.
Search hints:
1. Don't expect to always get good hits. You will have to sift through your results. Use narrower terms if you get too many results, broader terms if you get too few. Use the help features of the indexes to strengthen your search. Try several different ways to approach your search. For example, for "Sexism in the media," you can also use "media gender issues," "women in television," "gender equity on television," "women's roles in magazines." For "copyright issues in the recording industry" you can also use "MP3s" or"copyright and recording."
2. When typing in the account names and passwords, pay attention to upper and lower case letters. Access these from the Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Explorer browsers, not the AOL browser. In most cases, the periodical indexes will allow you to narrow your search to full text articles, and to print or email the article to yourself.
3. If you don't find the results you are looking for with one search service, try another.
SEARCH TOOLS
EBSCOHOST
Go to: http://www.deanza.fhda.edu/library/
Choose: Magazines & Newspapers
Choose: EbscoHost Magazine Index
User ID: (In on-campus sections, the user ID and password are written on the cover of the Workbook. In distance learning sections, the user ID and password are given on the password-protected discussion board.)
Password: (see above)
Choose: Login
Choose: Magazine Articles
Choose: Academic Search Elite
In the Find box, type in your subject or key word(s)
Limit your results to "full text"
If you wish, select other ways to limit your results, such as publication dates
Choose Search
If you have problems with your search, go to the help link at he top of the page.
Ebscohost indexes hundreds of magazines, journals, and newspapers. Subject searches result in article summaries as well as full text and full image articles. Articles may be printed or sent to personal email boxes. Dates of coverage vary for the hundreds of titles provided but some are available from 1985 - present. The database is very current and updated daily.
PROQUEST
Go to: http://www.deanza.fhda.edu/library/
Choose: Magazines & Newspapers
Choose: Proquest Newspaper Index
(Don't worry about the the "not authorized" or "unable to automatically authenticate your user account" message)
Account name (In on-campus sections, the account name and password are written on the cover of the Workbook. In distance learning sections, the account name and password are given on the password-protected discussion board.)
Password: (see above)
Choose: Connect
Type in: your subject or key word(s)
Select: Limit results to: full text documents only
Select: Search
ProQuest Direct databases store millions of articles originally published in magazines, newspapers, and journals. Keyword subject searches provide article summaries as well as many and full text and full image articles. Examples of newspapers indexed are: The Press Democrat, San Francisco Chronicle, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post. Dates of coverage vary for the hundreds of titles provided but some are available from 1985 - present. The database is updated daily.
INFOTRAC (SEARCHBANK)
Go to:http://www.deanza.fhda.edu/library/
Choose: Magazines & Newspapers
Choose: Infotrac Magazine Index
Library ID, barcode, or other ID: (In on-campus sections, the ID is written on the cover of the Workbook. In distance learning sections, the ID is given on the password-protected discussion board.)
Password: (see above)
Choose: Proceed (you may be directed to another page where you must choose "proceed" again)
Type in: your subject or key word(s)
Select: Limit the current search to articles with full-text
Choose: any other limititations you want, such as dates
Select: Search
Infortrac includes two sections, The Custom Journals and the Academic ASAP. The Custom Journals option indexes general interest magazines and newspapers. The Academic ASAP indexes articles about Current Events, Economics, History, Psychology, Humanities, Religion, Education, Literature & Art, Sociology, and Political Science.
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