today’s line-up
• Research article analysis
• Writing groups – just an idea/suggestion
• Discussion: project teams + project plan [due
Wed Mar 2]
• Finding background information
wed feb 17, 2016
General comments…
• The term data is plural – can work around this
by using “dataset”
– These data…
– This dataset…
• Appropriate use of vocabulary
• Effectively used evaluation criteria from
handout
General comments…
• Be SURE to look at the PDF if available…see example
of Siblings + Generalized Trust article
– The PDF will include all charts and graphs and look
identical to the printed version (the HTML version may
include only text)
General comments…
• Be SURE to look at the PDF if available…see example
of Siblings + Generalized Trust article
– The PDF will include all charts and graphs and look
identical to the printed version (the HTML version may
include only text)
• Be careful when using a word like “prove” – more
typical in scholarly work to use a phrase like…”these
data suggest…”
General comments…
• Be SURE to look at the PDF if available…see example
of Siblings + Generalized Trust article
– The PDF will include all charts and graphs and look
identical to the printed version (the HTML version may
include only text)
• Be careful when using a word like “prove” – more
typical in scholarly work to use a phrase like…”these
data suggest…”
• Try to use the active voice (rather than passive)
– This study was conducted by two researchers…
– Two researchers conducted a study to demonstrate…
General comments…
• Be SURE to look at the PDF if available…see example
of Siblings + Generalized Trust article
– The PDF will include all charts and graphs and look
identical to the printed version (the HTML version may
include only text)
• Be careful when using a word like “prove” – more
typical in scholarly work to use a phrase like…”these
data suggest…”
• Try to use the active voice (rather than passive)
– This study was conducted by two researchers…
– Two researchers conducted a study to demonstrate…
Handouts
• Project description
• Project Plan
• Search Log
• Variables List
• SPSS Cheat Sheet
• Research Process
[Example project…]
teams – options…
• Rachael can assign
• You can form your own groups
– Sometimes easier to not work with close friends
• Speed interviews to find group members that fit
– Topical interest
– Similar work styles
– Same/similar majors
• Work with 1 partner
• Work solo
gather background
information
• orient yourself
• pick up terms
• major issues
• origins of topic
read and
brainstorm
• keep open
mind
• no fast
decisions
• talk/listen to
someone about
the topic
• where is
literature
abundant?
• what areas are
sparsely
covered?
focus & refine
topic
• pose topic as a
question
• consider scope
or parameter of
coverage
Resources for Background Info
What you’ll find
http://www.lib.unc.edu/ >> E-Research by Discipline >> Public Issues
CQ Researcher
[Congressional Quarterly]
Each single-themed, 12,000-word report is researched
and written by a seasoned journalist.
Quality source for in-depth, analytical reporting on the
most current and controversial issues of the day
Issues and Controversies on File
Contains full text articles on current topics of interest,
arranged in opposing points of view
http://www.lib.unc.edu/ >> E-Research by Discipline >> Reference
Gale Virtual Reference Library
Articles on all subjects from subject encyclopedias,
almanacs, etc.
Oxford Reference Online
Entries from dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other
reference works in most subject area
Oxford English Dictionary (OED)
Comprehensive dictionary – emphasizes historical
origins of words