Beth Grobman
Research Paper SUM-08
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ASSIGNMENT: Perform traditional library research on a controversial aspect of the mass media, using article and research databases including Academic Search Premier (EbscoHost), Infotrac, Proquest, LexisNexis Academic and Points of View. First, submit an outline with a bibliography, and later, a 1500 + word research paper which argues both sides of a controversial issue.
SUBMISSION OF OUTLINE and PAPER
Your instructor will tell you how to submit your outline and research paper.
STANDARDS FOR THE OUTLINE/BIBLIOGRAPHY
An outline and rough bibliography is due before the final paper is due, on the date specified by the instructor. The outline may be brief, but it should include:
- the title of your paper, written in a yes/no question format
- a thesis statement about the topic (explaining the controversy)
- two or more arguments for one side of the controversy
- two or more arguments for another side of the controversy
- a first draft annotated bibliography with at least five sources; each listing should include the name of the search tool and search terms used
(An annotated bibliography requires a short description of the article beneath the citation.)
This outline does not have to be in a formal outline format -- you may prefer to write it out in paragraph form or use bullets, etc. It is OK if your bibliography changes slightly between the first due date for the outline, and the second due date for the final paper, when it should appear as a "works cited" list. (A bibliography is the entire list of sources you used in your research; a works cited list is just the sources you used and attributed. Your final paper will list just the works cited.)
Here is a Sample outline.
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 one of the controversies brought up in the textbook or in class. If you choose a media controversy significantly different than one on the Media Controversies page, confirm your topic with your professor. You will argue two sides of the controversy (similar to a debate), so choose a subject that has at least two opposing viewpoints. (If you would like to see an example of media professionals debating these kinds of issues, see the book "Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Mass Media and Society," which is on two-hour reserve in the De Anza library.
If your topic has to do with effects of of the media, you should read the text chapter on effects (Chapter 2) before writing your paper, as it will have pertinent information you can apply to your paper.
2. Research the topic by looking for articles about your topic from at least two of these four search tools: Academic Search Premier (a subset of EbscoHost), Proquest, Infotrac, LexisNexis Adacemic and Points of View.
Here are instructions for Accessing Article Databases.
3. The paper must make attribution to or quote at least SEVEN sources, which will also be listed in your Works Cited list.
- The textbook must be one source
- At least two sources (aside from the textbook) must be from 2006, 2007 and/or 2008.
- At least three sources must have been found using two of these search tools: Proquest, Infotrac, Academic Search Premier/Ebscohost, LexisNexis Academic or Points of View.
- You are encouraged to use at least one or two scholarly or academic journals (as opposed to consumer magazines)
- Do not use an encyclopedia (including Wikipedia) as one of your seven sources.Notes about sources and quotes:4. The paper should be a minimum of 1500 words. The paper should be single spaced with a double space between paragraphs. The works cited list is not part of the word count. There is no maximum word count.
a. Sources have different levels of reliability. Your paper should focus on the top two levels.1) The best sources are research studies, such as the ones discussed in Chapter 2 of our text book.
2) The next best source is an expert (scholar, professor, researcher) from the relevant field, whose expertise you can validate and who cites research or observation.
3) Next is a journalist or writer, who is interpreting or reviewing research studies or sources.
4) The weakest sources are those without credentials, writing or telling you what they think, saw or heard; or someone with credentials whose information can't be backed up with research or valid sources.
b. Information in your paper should be directly attributed to research studies or experts or some other source. Phrases such as "it is a well-known fact that ..." may not be used. Also, phrases like, "statistics prove" or "research proves" may not be used. Instead use "statistics indicate," "statistics reveal," "research indicates," or "research reveals."
c. All information from another source, even if not a direct quotation, must be attributed in two ways: (1) within the text using parenthetical citations and (2) in the bibliography. In addition, all direct quotations must be in quote marks.
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 under works cited.
6. The paper should be ORGANIZED AND LABELED in this way, using these headings:PART 1: INTRODUCTIONThis Grading Sheet will help you self-check your paper before turning it in.
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 in Part 2, and should be of equal influence (and probably equal length).
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: WORKS CITED (Annotated)
Use MLA style for Works Cited and give a brief summary (annotation) of the article or source beneath the source information. In addition, for all Internet searches, include:
- the name of the search tool you used (Proquest, Infotrac, EbscoHost, Google Scholar, Infomine.ucr.edu ) and
- the search words you used
A NOTE ABOUT PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism (copying the work of others) is a type of plagiarism and is considered a serious offense. It could result in course failure and a report being filed with college administration.
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 works cited is another type of plagiarism.
De Anza College subscribes to Turnitin.com, a service which checks student papers for originality. Listed below is a link that helps student avoid plagiarism.
NEED HELP?
GENERAL ONLINE HELP
- For help with citing sources within the paper, see Duke University's site at:INDIVIDUAL ONLINE HELP
http://www.lib.duke.edu/libguide/within.htm
- For help with your works cited section, 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 plagiarizing, see Purdue University's site at:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/research/r_plagiar.html
- For help with MLA style, see:
http://www.mla.org
De Anza has a Writing and Reading Center in the top floor of the ATC Building with walk-in tutoring help. It is a great place to go for advice or help on writing your paper or getting information about MLA style. It is helpful to the tutors there if you bring a copy of these instructions.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. Also, 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, Infotrac and LexisNexis 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, as long as you have your student body number to sign in with. Some of the resources available though these services are consumer magazines, but you will also find scholarly academic journals.
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. Access these search databases from the Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Explorer browsers, not the AOL browser.
3. 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.
4. If you don't find the results you are looking for with one search database service, try another.
Print-Friendly Version
ASSIGNMENT: Perform traditional library research on a controversial aspect of the mass media, using article and research databases including Academic Search Premier (EbscoHost), Infotrac, Proquest, LexisNexis Academic and Points of View. First, submit an outline with a bibliography, and later, a 1500 + word research paper which argues both sides of a controversial issue.
SUBMISSION OF OUTLINE and PAPER
Your instructor will tell you how to submit your outline and research paper.
STANDARDS FOR THE OUTLINE/BIBLIOGRAPHY
An outline and rough bibliography is due before the final paper is due, on the date specified by the instructor. The outline may be brief, but it should include:
- the title of your paper, written in a yes/no question format
- a thesis statement about the topic (explaining the controversy)
- two or more arguments for one side of the controversy
- two or more arguments for another side of the controversy
- a first draft annotated bibliography with at least five sources; each listing should include the name of the search tool and search terms used
(An annotated bibliography requires a short description of the article beneath the citation.)
This outline does not have to be in a formal outline format -- you may prefer to write it out in paragraph form or use bullets, etc. It is OK if your bibliography changes slightly between the first due date for the outline, and the second due date for the final paper, when it should appear as a "works cited" list. (A bibliography is the entire list of sources you used in your research; a works cited list is just the sources you used and attributed. Your final paper will list just the works cited.)
Here is a Sample outline.
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 one of the controversies brought up in the textbook or in class. If you choose a media controversy significantly different than one on the Media Controversies page, confirm your topic with your professor. You will argue two sides of the controversy (similar to a debate), so choose a subject that has at least two opposing viewpoints. (If you would like to see an example of media professionals debating these kinds of issues, see the book "Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Mass Media and Society," which is on two-hour reserve in the De Anza library.
If your topic has to do with effects of of the media, you should read the text chapter on effects (Chapter 2) before writing your paper, as it will have pertinent information you can apply to your paper.
2. Research the topic by looking for articles about your topic from at least two of these four search tools: Academic Search Premier (a subset of EbscoHost), Proquest, Infotrac, LexisNexis Adacemic and Points of View.
Here are instructions for Accessing Article Databases.
3. The paper must make attribution to or quote at least SEVEN sources, which will also be listed in your Works Cited list.
- The textbook must be one source
- At least two sources (aside from the textbook) must be from 2006, 2007 and/or 2008.
- At least three sources must have been found using two of these search tools: Proquest, Infotrac, Academic Search Premier/Ebscohost, LexisNexis Academic or Points of View.
- You are encouraged to use at least one or two scholarly or academic journals (as opposed to consumer magazines)
- Do not use an encyclopedia (including Wikipedia) as one of your seven sources.Notes about sources and quotes:4. The paper should be a minimum of 1500 words. The paper should be single spaced with a double space between paragraphs. The works cited list is not part of the word count. There is no maximum word count.
a. Sources have different levels of reliability. Your paper should focus on the top two levels.1) The best sources are research studies, such as the ones discussed in Chapter 2 of our text book.
2) The next best source is an expert (scholar, professor, researcher) from the relevant field, whose expertise you can validate and who cites research or observation.
3) Next is a journalist or writer, who is interpreting or reviewing research studies or sources.
4) The weakest sources are those without credentials, writing or telling you what they think, saw or heard; or someone with credentials whose information can't be backed up with research or valid sources.
b. Information in your paper should be directly attributed to research studies or experts or some other source. Phrases such as "it is a well-known fact that ..." may not be used. Also, phrases like, "statistics prove" or "research proves" may not be used. Instead use "statistics indicate," "statistics reveal," "research indicates," or "research reveals."
c. All information from another source, even if not a direct quotation, must be attributed in two ways: (1) within the text using parenthetical citations and (2) in the bibliography. In addition, all direct quotations must be in quote marks.
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 under works cited.
6. The paper should be ORGANIZED AND LABELED in this way, using these headings:PART 1: INTRODUCTIONThis Grading Sheet will help you self-check your paper before turning it in.
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 in Part 2, and should be of equal influence (and probably equal length).
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: WORKS CITED (Annotated)
Use MLA style for Works Cited and give a brief summary (annotation) of the article or source beneath the source information. In addition, for all Internet searches, include:
- the name of the search tool you used (Proquest, Infotrac, EbscoHost, Google Scholar, Infomine.ucr.edu ) and
- the search words you used
A NOTE ABOUT PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism (copying the work of others) is a type of plagiarism and is considered a serious offense. It could result in course failure and a report being filed with college administration.
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 works cited is another type of plagiarism.
De Anza College subscribes to Turnitin.com, a service which checks student papers for originality. Listed below is a link that helps student avoid plagiarism.
NEED HELP?
GENERAL ONLINE HELP
- For help with citing sources within the paper, see Duke University's site at:INDIVIDUAL ONLINE HELP
http://www.lib.duke.edu/libguide/within.htm
- For help with your works cited section, 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 plagiarizing, see Purdue University's site at:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/research/r_plagiar.html
- For help with MLA style, see:
http://www.mla.org
De Anza has a Writing and Reading Center in the top floor of the ATC Building with walk-in tutoring help. It is a great place to go for advice or help on writing your paper or getting information about MLA style. It is helpful to the tutors there if you bring a copy of these instructions.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. Also, 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, Academic Search Premier/Ebscohost, Infotrac, LexisNexis, and Points of View) are the same ones that you'd use in other university or college librarys, but as a De Anza student, you can use them from any computer with access to the Internet, as long as you have your student body number to sign in with. Some of the resources available though these services are consumer magazines, but you will also find scholarly academic journals.
This is a Manila site.