Students are to evaluate and use only "credible" and relevant sources for their proposal drafts using the following six (6) criteria:
1. Expertise (authority of author or organization who wrote or published the source)
2. Objectivity (balanced viewpoint; free from bias)
3. Accuracy (information can be verified; sources of information are included)
4. Currency (recency or timeliness of source)
5. Origin (primary, secondary or tertiary source)
6. Relevance (source directly supports one or more of the main points in a literature review)
When "online" sources (from websites, blogs, news sites, etc.) are used as part of research for introductions and literature reviews, it's particularly important to ensure the credibility of sources when they are located using Internet search engines.
Directions: Select one website related to your research topic and answer the following questions (you can type in this document).
• APA citation (6th edition) - Reference List (bibliography) for this source
• Expertise (Authority): Identify the authority of the author who wrote or organization that published the source.
• Objectivity: Was this a balanced viewpoint? If biased, is the source still useful for your research paper? Explain.
• Accuracy: Was the information accurate? Can it be verified? Are sources of information included? Explain
• Currency: Is the source (and information) written recently? Is the information timely or outdated? When was the website last updated? Explain.
• Origin: Is the information from a primary, secondary, or tertiary source? Explain.
• Relevancy (Coverage): Does the information directly support your research topic? Explain how this source will contribute to your literature review. Identify and report any relevant details mentioned on the website including: participants, method, results, conclusions, and/or any unique aspects.
• Which of the 6 criteria (expertise, objectivity, accuracy, currency, origin of source, and relevancy) was the most difficult to ascertain when evaluating websites and why?
Research Log Entry #3: Interviews
Create 5 open-ended interview questions for someone who lived part of their adult life BEFORE the widespread use of the cell phone. The interview questions are designed to provide insight into how COMMUNICAION IN PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS was different BEFORE that person had a cell phone, and how it changed once they got one.
Plan your questions carefully to get at his/her perceptions of how the cell phone has affected communication in their personal relationships. Remember to follow the tips for creating effective interview questions discussed in class (Week 7 materials posted on Blackboard) and include a list of your 5 open-ended interview questions.
Research Log Entry #4: Participant Observation
This exercise is designed to help you develop your observational skills, and to increase your nonverbal awareness. Try the following exercises, and record your observations, including what you saw others do (descriptive notes column), and your own reactions (analytic notes column).
Fill in the Field Notes Word Document for each scenario. Using your observations of each scenario as data, report what you learned about nonverbal communication (analytic notes column).
• Scenario 1: Get on an elevator. See how other passengers position themselves, and how they use eye gaze and body position to communicate. Smile at someone on the elevator and observe what happens. What did you notice, and what did you learn?
• Scenario 2: As you wait at the beginning of a class, ride the bus, or sit in a dining hall, bar, or restaurant, put your bag or jacket on an empty seat, and observe what happens. What did you notice, and what did you learn?
Research Log Entry #5: Deceptive Data Analysis
Select between the following Ted Talks: Battling Bad Science, How Juries are Fooled by Statistics, or Why Medicine Often Has Dangerous Side Effects for Women.
(1) Provide a brief overview of the selected Ted Talk,
(2) identify how statistics/data were manipulated in the video,
(3) express your opinion regarding whether or not deceptive data analysis should be allowed, and
(4) what actions can be taken to help inform consumers of research.
Your entry should be one to two typed, double-spaced pages. Your entry should incorporate details from Week 11 lecture slides posted on Blackboard and selected Ted Talk.
Ted Talk Links:
Battling Bad Science
How Juries are Fooled by Statistics
Why Medicine Often Has Dangerous Side Effects for Women