research writing

Assignment part 1

• Watch the video, “How to Read and Comprehend Scientific Research Articles.”  The video is linked to the Learning Resources in Content for this week.  This video shows you how to break down one kind of scholarly article to understand it. (Please note that you might find many kinds of research articles. You can find out more about identifying different types of scholarly articles by visiting the links, “Identify Scholarly Articles” and “Different Types of Scholarly Sources” in Week 1 Content/Learning Resources.)
• Review the “Template for Taking Notes on Research Articles.”
• Read “Searching Basics” from the UMGC Library to learn how to get started on your own research.
• Optional for this task: Watch Library Tutorials #1 and #2. They’ll help you in your search as well.

Then, respond to this discussion topic by answering the following questions.

1. What research topic do you think you will focus on for this semester’s work? Why? Answer in one or two sentences.
2. In your opinion, what is the most important step to take when reading research articles? According to the material you’ve watched and read, what is the most important step to take when reading research articles? Answer in one or two sentences.
3. After reading “Searching Basics” and/or watching the first two library tutorials, please find one (1) article on your chosen research topic that review and give the findings of a research study.  In responding to this discussion topic, give the author(s), the title of the article, and a brief one- or two-sentence description of the research study and its findings. (The activity in this last task will help you get started on your Critical Annotated Bibliography, which is Writing Assignment #1.)
4. Now take a moment to reflect on one classmate’s chosen topic (refer to #2). Respond to his or her thread and write one to two sentences sharing your thoughts on his or her topic.

LINKS to assignment:

• How to Read and Comprehend Scientific Research Articles

PART 2

• Watch Library Tutorials #1, #2, and #3. Links to these videos appear in Learning Resources in this week’s Content list. They demonstrate strategies to use when finding articles through OneSearch, a research tool that allows you to search on many databases at one time.
• Read the case below and complete the following tasks.

Assume you work for a company that is hiring more and more “Generation Z” employees.

Your supervisor has asked you to conduct research on issues regarding employees from Generation Z. She’s heard that Generation Z may have different expectations of the work environment from those from older generations. In addition, she mentions that Generation Z might have different habits with regard to their use of technology.

In short, she has a vague idea about this generation, but nothing very definite—and she’d like to learn more. 

Because she needs basic information, your task is to conduct a very general search on Generation Z and their work or technology habits. You don’t need to focus your topic now, although she may ask you for more information at a later date.

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

• Using the strategies discussed in Video Tutorial #1, search on Generation Z and work to find your articles. Your search can be broad at this stage.
  • List the topic you searched (e.g., “post-millennials”)
  • List your search terms. Include at least three (3) terms. (e.g., “employees”)
• Write the titles of the four articles and the journals in which they appeared.  (e.g., “Understanding Generational Differences in Workplace Environments,” Harvard Business Journal)
• Using the strategies discussed in Library Video #2, conduct a new search on a topic that’s either related to your major or to your work. As the video demonstrates, use quotation marks around your search phrase.
  • List your search phrase(s). (e.g., “academic writing”)
  • List how many search results you received. (e.g., 151,022)
• Focus your search from question #2 by using the SU-subject terms option from the drop-down menu for one of the rows.
  • List the number of search results you have after limiting the search by using SU-subject terms. (e.g., 583)
• Finally, using the strategies mentioned in Video Tutorial #3, locate the subject guide for your major. If you haven’t declared a major yet, please select one that interests you from drop-down menu.
  • Describe any interesting resources you’ve discovered (1-2 sentences). (e.g., “Under ‘Subject Guides for Writing,’ I found a link to a helpful website, Purdue OWL Writing Resources. It includes tips on everything from grammar to APA, MLA, and CMS citations.”)

Please note that you will not be able to see other students’ responses to this discussion topic until you post your response.

LINKS: 

• Template for Taking Notes on Research Articles
• Identify Scholarly Articles UMGC Library Link
• Library Tutorial #1
• Library Tutorial #2
• Library Tutorial #3
• Searching Basics
• Different Types of Scholarly Sources.

PART 3 is attached below