LSCI100 - Introduction to Information Research - Lesson 2

Lessons

Lesson 2 Contents:

Learning Objectives

I. An Outline of Knowledge: The Academic Disciplines

II. What is Research?

III. Superficial Research vs. Genuine Research

IV. The Research Process: A Model

V. Key Points to Remember

Lesson Two Quiz

Lesson Two Exercise

LESSON TWO - EXERCISE (24 points)

NOTE: Some questions are worth multiple points.

Name
1)	Briefly explain the difference between superficial research and genuine research. (5 points)
2)	Why is it important to learn some background information about your subject very early in the research process? (3 points)
3)	Briefly explain the difference between a subject and a research question. (3 points)
4)	What is research bias? (2 points)
5)	If you borrow the words or ideas of a book or article too closely, or don’t give credit to a source either through quotation marks or proper documentation, you are guilty of what? (1 point)
6)	Many students, unaware of the steps of a carefully planned research project, begin their research by searching for information through an index, catalog, or Web search engine. Without knowing it, they have jumped directly to Step 5 of the research process. What sort of problems are likely to occur if a student neglects the other steps of the research process? How and why are the steps that come before and after Step 5 important? (10 points)
7)	It’s time to choose the research question you’ll be working on for the remainder of the semester. You will be finding references sources, books, periodical articles, and Websites for whichever topic you choose. It is strongly recommended that you choose one of the topics given below: AGRICULTURE / BIOTECHNOLOGY How will increased use of genetically engineered crops affect food safety? BUSINESS / ECONOMICS What impact will the downturn of Silicon Valley and internet commerce have on the national economy? What effect does economic globalization have on third world countries? What part – if any – does a “glass ceiling” have on opportunities for women to rise to positions of top leadership in American corporations? How does illegal immigration affect the United States economy? CRIMINAL JUSTICE How does the death penalty affect violent crime rates in the United States? EDUCATION How has the increasing use of the Internet in education affected teaching? What are effective methods for teaching children how to read? How should colleges consider race in their admissions policies? What role – if any – should standardized testing have in American education? POLITICAL SCIENCE / LAW / JOURNALISM What steps – if any – should the government take to protect civil liberties during the “ war on terrorism”? What is the proper role of religion and organized religious groups in American politics? What are the effects of corporate ownership and media monopolies on news reporting and editorial freedom? What steps – if any – should the government take to censor pornography on the Internet? PSYCHOLOGY / SOCIOLOGY What recent changes in social and cultural norms have allowed or prompted more men to undertake cosmetic surgery? How have the rise of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO’s) affected the quality of health care in the United States? Why have increasing numbers of people turned to alternative medicine when seeking health care? SCIENCE What role – if any -- does the burning of fossil fuels play in global warming? What can be done to maintain the long-term viability of forests as a renewable resource? What are the latest speculations about the origins of the universe? SPORTS How has illegal steroid use affected amateur and professional athletics? If you are not interested in any of the above topics you may choose your own. However, it must be an academic topic that would be appropriate for an 8-10 page college-level research paper. You can use a topic you’re researching in another class, but be sure it’s not too broad nor too specific and that it’s written in the form of an open-ended question. When formulating your question, keep in mind that it will usually include at least 2 main ideas (concepts) phrased in relation to each other. To avoid phrasing your question too narrowly, begin it with the words HOW, WHY, or WHAT (as in the examples above). Type your research question in the box given below. You will discuss this topic with the instructor during Meeting #1.