LRS 590: Beyond Google

 

Final Project

Page history last edited by Caroline 3 yrs ago

  1. Introduction
  2. Required Format and Contents:
    1. Title Page
    2. Annotated Bibliography
    3. Research Essay
      1. General Information
      2. Introduction
      3. Description of Process
      4. Evaluation of Process
    4. Weekly Assignments and Blog Entries

Introduction

 

Through your final project you will demonstrate the development and results of your research during this course. During the first week of class you will choose a research topic, and you will complete elements of your research through assignments each week. Your final research portfolio will include weekly assignments, research journal entries, an annotated bibliography, and a brief essay. Your evaluation/grade will be based on the following: methodology, presentation of research, and style. Please refer to and use the MLA Style Guide, 7th edition when drafting your paper and bibliography.

 

Required Format and Contents:

 

Title Page

Annotated Bibliography

  • Cite at least 15 sources.
  • Include at least three sources from each of the following categories: books, peer reviewed journal articles, web pages. These may be the sources you found during your weekly assignments.
  • Include the following source types as they apply to your topic: popular journal articles, videos, sound recordings, government/state documents, interviews, speeches, conference proceedings, dissertations, newspaper articles, FAQs, performances, TV/radio programs, etc.
  • Organize your bibliography in a logical manner; for example, alphabetical, by source type, date, or importance. Give a brief description of rationale for your organizational plan in your research essay.
  • Format your bibliography according to the MLA Style Guide, 7th edition. A quick guide is available at http://lib.pratt.edu/public/mla.pdf
  • Include succinct but descriptive annotations (around 50-75 words) for each source. Annotations must show the purpose, use and value of the source.
  • See How to Write an Annotated Bibliography for examples.
  • Please post your annotated bibliography to your blog.

Research Essay

General Information

Introduction

  • Describe your topic. What does it include and what doesn’t it (e.g. time period, geographical limitations)?
  • Explain why you chose this topic, what you already know about it (summary of literature search), what you want to learn about it, which areas you did or did not choose to explore.

 

Description of Process

  • Where and how did you begin your research?
  • Describe the finding tools you used (catalogs, indexes, databases).
  • List some of the search terms you used (subject headings, keywords, names) and where they led you.
  • Document the search techniques/strategies you used and their usefulness to you.
  • What modifications did you make to your search terms, techniques and tools as the weeks progressed?
  • How did you choose to organize your annotated bibliography and why?
  • Include specific examples.

Evaluation of Process

  • What stumbling blocks did you encounter? Why did they occur? Could they have been avoided?
  • Describe the search terms, techniques and tools that were most successful, ones that were not successful, and why.
  • Why did you select or reject certain information sources, tools or techniques?
  • How did you evaluate and select sources for the annotated bibliography?
  • How well is the topic represented in print or electronic/internet resources?
  • Would you go about this project differently knowing what you know now?
  • How do your present research methods and concepts compare with those you had before?
  • What advice would you give to someone embarking on a similar research project? * What are the most valuable concepts/techniques you learned?
  • What was the best information source for your annotated bibliography and the best finding tool used? Why?
  • What research strategies, techniques and tools will you use for future projects?

Weekly Assignments and Blog Entries

Conscientiously completing your assignments each week will make compiling your final project very manageable. Although your weekly assignments will inform your final bibliography and process paper, they are graded separately, so you do not need to attach copies of blog entries to your final paper.

 

This project is based on Susan Beck's Research Portfolio assignment for LSC 311: Information Literacy, New Mexico State University.

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