Chapter 2 Summary

After reading chapter 2, I now have a better understanding of how to explore the general issues within a topic, while focusing on one that will lay the groundwork for developing a research question for my paper. From this chapter, I learned how to: Create a plan to explore my topic, discuss my topic with others, conduct preliminary observations, and finding and reviewing sources. With creating a plan, I learned how to create an informal research plan to use as a guide for my work and remind myself of steps that I might overlook. Regarding discussing my topic with others, I now know that I can talk with people that know more and/or have been affected by it. They can provide me with some insights that are not available through other sources. In conducting preliminary observations, observation can be a powerful tool. Observation can help me explore my topic further by doing things like going to lectures relating to my topic, shows, and seeing what other people have created can help me gain different perspectives for my paper. With finding and reviewing sources,  I learned how to find and review sources by searching my library's catalog, and by browsing my library's shelves,  for a relevant book or periodical about my topic. I also learned how to focus on an issue by identifying conversations about issues in my topic, assessing my interest in the issues, and choosing an issue.

Omar

Chapter 5 Summary

After reading chapter 5 of The Bedford Researcher, I now have a better idea on how to evaluate my sources. From this chapter, I learned how to evaluate: the relevance, evidence, author, publisher, timeliness, comprehensiveness, and genre.   Regarding evaluating the evidence, make sure there is enough evidence offered, make sure it is the right kind, that the source is provided, and whether the evidence is used fairly.  When evaluating the author, make sure the author is knowledgeable, who they are affiliated with, and if there are any biases that could impact the information. The publication date of the source should also be reviewed when evaluating the timeliness of the source and how it affects my judgment of its usefulness. Identifying the genre and evaluating the genre is also important.  What the citation style is, how the document is designed, and the writing style need to be identified.

Omar

Chapter 1 Summary

After reading chapter 1 of The Bedford Researcher, I now have some confidence as to how and where to begin with my research paper. In the chapter 1, it teaches you in steps how to: Analyze my assignment, generate ideas about appropriate topics, and consider the writing situation.  You need to keep in mind the purpose of the writing assignment, the audience/readers, the genre, developing a timeline to manage your time, requirements and limitations.  Some methods to generate ideas are brainstorming, clustering, free writing, looping, and clustering. I also learned how to: create a plan to explore your topic, discuss your topic with others, conduct preliminary observations, and find and review sources. You need a list of people with whom you can discuss your topic, a list of questions for people who can help you with your paper, a list of resources,  and a system for keeping track of the info you collect.

Omar