Post Three: Reading Critically and Evaluating Sources

In "The Bedford Researcher," the author addresses the importance of choosing research materials in terms of their relevance, comprehensiveness and timeliness. Palmquist also states that we should strive to choose works that are written by reputable authors (those who are educated and have some type of expertise in the field) and published by companies with a history of being unbiased. For the most part, these are suggestions that have already been discussed in class.

The author also presents an outline to help students learn to read more critically. He believes that research should be tackled in an active manner (by identifying and noting main points, questioning what the author has had to say, and by comparing what they have said to the opinions of other's in the field). Palmquist maintains that by developing a preliminary thesis statement, the individual can use it to guide them through the research process.

Part Two, Post Two: Developing a Personal Roadmap for Doing Research

During class yesterday, we were asked to think about a topic that we might like to use as the subject for our research paper this semester. The class spent ten minutes freewriting on this topic and then formed groups to share individual works. We were asked to go to the library and find three print sources before our next meeting.

I wrote about epigenomes. I do have a strong personal and professional interest in this topic, but came to the conclusion that it might be difficult to find three appropriate print sources at the campus library (after electronically searching cardcat). I plan to further research this possibility and determine if it is a viable option. If I find that it is not, then my second topic of choice is related to non-traditional students and why older individuals return to school to obtain college degrees.

Post Two: Developing a Personal Roadmap for Doing Research

Our current assignment was to read the first three chapters in "The Bedford Researcher." Much of the material in the first two chapters, was information that had already been discussed in class (i.e. choosing a research topic of personal or professional interest, understanding, developing and implementing an organized approach to doing research, acquiring and using reliable sources of information , and narrowing the topic of interest). I appreciated the fact that the author states that some research topics may need to be modified or abandoned because they are somehow, inappropriate to the given assignment, audience or zeitgeist.

In chapter three, the author discusses how to develop a research question and write a proposal. I am most concerned with the process of developing a research question or thesis. At this time, it seems like such a daunting task, but I am sure that I am not alone in this uneasy feeling. It has been awhile since I have written a research paper (and I have never written one using MLA Style). Hopefully, future class discussions will calm this concern.

Post One: Documentation Systems and Using MLA Style

Our English 104 class has moved into the second week of the Spring 2010 semester. We have been introduced to the various major documentation systems (i.e. MLA, APA, Chicago, and CSE Style) and are now focusing on learning how to cite references using MLA Style. "The Bedford Researcher," written by Mike Palmquist, is the text book that we will be using in conjunction with, other suggested resources (to help increase our ability to create a "Works Cited" page for future written assignments).

Our first in-class assignment was to practice citing references for various print works. Our group worked together to complete the assignment. During the next class meeting, a correct version was provided to the class so that each group could check their individual page for errors. The balance of the time, was spent discussing how to set up our blog pages so that we can share our work and communicate with each other in the future.