Chapter 5: Finding and Evaluating Research Sources

Project Outcomes | Main Assignment | Steps to Complete this Project | Assignment Checklist | Additional Readings
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Outcomes


Main Assignment: Annotated List of Works Cited

Your annotated list of works cited (also known as an annotated bibliography) will provide a showcase of the primary and secondary sources you locate and select for your researched argument.  Your list should include at least 10 sources; these should include print as well as internet sources, and at least one source must be a personal source (interview, survey or observation).

AdobePresenter/BREEZE presentation, "Compiling an Annotated Bibliography," https://breeze5.metnet.edu/bibliography/

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Steps to Complete this Project

(July 5)  Begin your research.

To find answers to your search questions, you will have to do a research. Most sources of information fall into one of three categories: (1) print sources, (2) media and electronic sources, and (3) personal sources.
(July 6)  Locate Sources for your Researched Argument
Read the MLA Handbook, "Compiling a Working Bibliography," 1.5 (pp. 37-41).
Read Envision, pp.135-141.
Record searches in your research log (see AT A GLANCE, p. 139).

You must compile a research log, but you do not have to submit this log unless I ask to see it because I have some concern about your researched argument draft. You research log must include the following:
___ Chapter 4 discovery writing and proposal (including your search questions and list of keywords)
___ Chapter 5 annotated list of works cited
___ PALS/EBSCO/GALE printouts
___ notes from books
___ copies/notes of periodical sources
___ copies/notes of on-line sources
___ notes from an interview, survey, or observation

Note: You must be prepared to submit your research log upon request.  This log may be compiled in a 3-ring notebook or in a paper or electronic file folder.  The format is optional.  Your research log must be an accurate record of your research process.

Identify primary and secondary sources.

(July 7) Evaluate your sources. (July 8) Plan and schedule field research.
Read Envision, pp. 158-164.
You are required to include at least one field research strategy in your research project.  Field research includes interviews, surveys, and observations (PowerPoint: Personal Research).

NOTE: Your own personal experience or personal narrative is NOT what we mean here by field research or a "personal source."   A "personal source" is field research where you and the source meet in person and you follow accepted research protocols for gathering reliable data. You may interview an expert on your topic or you may conduct an observation or a survey.  Interviewing  a close friend or relative is NOT considered college-level academic field research.

In Chapter 5 of Envision, the authors discuss interviews and surveys as field research, but they do not mention observations; however, research by observation is described in the PowerPoint presentation, Personal Research.  Some examples of observations students have done in the past include:

  • a tour of the Prairie Island Power Plant for an argument about nuclear energy;
  • a scheduled series of observations at a day care center for a paper on aggressive behavior among pre-school children
  • observation at a school crossing (counting number of children crossing without a crossing guard or traffic control device)
  • attendance and observation at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting for a paper on alcoholism.

Plan and schedule your field research. (See "AT A GLANCE," Envision, p. 161.)
Then go to the D2L class discussion thread for Chapter 5 to read your classmates' postings and add your own message answering the step 5 exercise question.
 

(July 9) Compile your annotated list of works cited.

Read Envision, chapter 9, "Documentation and Plagiarism."

View the Adobe Presenter/BREEZE presentation: "Compiling an Annotated Bibliography."
Read "AT A GLANCE," Envision, p. 168: "Composing an Annotated Bibliography.  Complete the 3 steps listed there.

Select from your research log your strongest sources.  Draft a complete citation for each source and arrange these citations alphabetically, following the MLA guidelines for a list of works cited (see the MLA Handbook, Ch. 5).  You do NOT have to categorize them as primary and secondary sources.

Your list should include sources of information, data and statistics, and rebuttal to your claims.  Be sure to include print and electronic sources, primary and secondary sources, and at least one personal source.  There should be a minimum of 10 sources in your list. Then annotate your list by adding a note to each citation. In this note provide a brief written explanation of how the source supports your thesis or a key point in your argument. 

(July 10)   Follow the MLA Handbook guidelines for documenting sources in an annotated list of works cited.
Carefully edit the formatting of each of your bibliography entries.  Check each one against the MLA Handbook, Chapter 5: "Documentation: Preparing the List of Works Cited"  or Envision, chapter 9.  Each entry in your list should include a complete citation plus an annotation or note presenting a summary of the information that source provides for your researched argument.  Notes must be written in complete sentences.  They should be clear, concise and correct.

Proofread your paper.

Submit your completed annotated list of works cited to the D2L Assignment Dropbox folder for Chapter 5 before midnight on Thursday, July 10.

There is no process memo required for this assignment.

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Assignment Checklist

To receive credit for completing this project, you must:
1.  Submit your annotated list of works cited to the D2L assignment dropbox folder for Chapter 5.
2.  Compile a research log that you are prepared to submit upon request.

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Additional Readings

To view sample student papers, go to the Envision companion website ... Student Resources ... Chapter 5 ... Student Writing...
To view additional sources, go to the Envision companion website ... Student Resources ... Chapter 5 ... Resources and Readings ....

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