Research Assignment I - Internet Research

Due September 30, 2004

1) Write a 3-5 sentence description of your current idea for a research project.

2) Conduct an internet search to locate both popular and potentially scholarly sources on your topic. You need to find at least three web-based sources related to your topic. Be sure to identify the URL (web address) for each source. To the best of your ability, use correct APA citation style for each source.

3) For each source:
-Print the main page.
-Evaluate each source using Ballenger's flow chart in Figure 2.3 (p.75). Note: Not every source needs to be a “good” one for your research project, though you do want two good sources. (If you find a “bogus” source, you can certainly include it for this assignment – though you won’t likely want it in your research project.)
-In a Word Document, copy the passages you think are relevant for you (as part of a modified double-entry notetaking procedure). Put those passages in your own words. Also, write about why you think these passages are important.
-Write a five-sentence summary of each source, making sure to identify what you take to be key resources available on it.
-In 2-5 sentences, explain why you think the source might be useful for you.
-Bring all this to class Thursday, September 30.

4) Make four posts to the forum.
a) You need to post your research project idea (from above) as a New Thread in the Db Forum called “Research Project Ideas.”
b) Then you post three different New Threads to the DB Forum called “Website Evaluations.” Each post should include all elements of the assignment outlined above. Instead of printing the main page, insert a link to the page in your post.