Chapter 3 of the Bedford Researcher builds on the first two chapters (and the several others our class has skipped ahead to), describing how to Develop Your Research Question and Proposal. The chapter asks two questions, "How can I develop my research question", and, "How can I create a research proposal"? These two questions are answered in their own ways, starting with the first questions steps: step one, "Reflect on your writing situation", which considers what you know so far, step two, "Generate potential research questions", which has a list of variables to influence the possibilities of questions to be made, step three, "Craft questions that reflect your writing situation", made up of the five "w"'s, and step four, "Select and rewrite your research question". The second question is then answered through writing, verbal descriptions of the format to follow, then the chapter ends with a labeled-example proposal.
This information will soon be utilized as I wrap up my source search and find all the information on my topic to form an important and interesting question. Once I know what to ask, I'll know how to ask it through the exampled proposal provided in the end of the chapter. Basically, this is preparing me for the upcoming assignment a couple weeks from now.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
1/27 Activity
1.) In
the past, the MPAA has been the basis for moral taxation, such as a case in the
1970’s where a court in Georgia taxed exhibitioners for showing movies above
the PG rating (Schmidt, 45). Is it so far-fetched to believe that the rating
system is displaying a passive-aggressive form of morals, as Miriam Krule of Slate
paraphrased from A.O. Scott of New York Times, “… movies where entire cities
are destroyed and millions of people are killed…” that are PG-13, whereas
movies get the “… R rating just because teenage characters smoke pot or have
sex…” (2014).
2.) Published
by American Libraries, James C.
Schmidt has frequently taught at universities across the US, and had written in
an article for the magazine about the history of the MPAA’s court cases
concerning its rating system and public treatment (45).
In a published article on
Medscape, Kimberly M. Thompson focuses one of her many medical articles upon
children’s exposure to mature content, suggesting from a study that “…MPAA
applied less stringency in its age-based ratings over time for the period of
1992-2003” (2004).
5.) Film Ratings Poster. Digital image. Http://www.mpaa.org/film-ratings/.
Film Ratings, n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2015.
MPAA Sign. Digital image. The Verge. N.p., 3 Sept. 2013. Web. 27
Jan. 2015.
Photo still from “Son of Frankenstein,” ©Universal Pictures Company,
Inc. (1944). Digital image. District Dispatch. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan.
2015.
Chapter 5 Review and Tutorial
Chapter five of the Bedford Researcher concerns how legitimate sources may be for you research paper, or their credibility in general. Titled “Evaluating Sources”, the several pages of this relatively short chapter makes you think about the context and necessity of the sources you've obtained and their usefulness as an arguing point to your topic. The first subject, “What factors should I use to evaluate a source,” runs down a list of essential subjects for consideration to rank the sources to their merits: relevance, evidence, author, publisher, timeliness, comprehensiveness, and genre. Relevance determines the helpfulness of a source’s content and how it relates to your research question and thesis, Evidence provides substantial facts behind the statements inside your source that are reliable, the Author also needs to be scrutinized for his affiliations and biases, so does the Publisher for its connections and contracts, Timeliness factors as another relevant factor, Comprehensiveness decides if a subject is well written or not, and the Genre spotlights the delivery of your source. Of course, sources will be evaluated differently on their format alone, whether it’d be webpage, blog, social networking sites, forums, wikis, or whatever. Even at the deepest level, the sources to your source should be evaluated for their credibility and usefulness as well.
I can use this chapter to decide what sources I've collected prove to be useful quotes and statements for my research paper—or if they’re garbage and in need for replacement.
Coyle, Jake. "MPAA Defends Ratings System: Parents Are Happy." The Huffington Post. 13 Nov. 2013. Web. 21 Jan. 2015. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/13/mpaa-ratings- system_n_4269665.html>.
1.) “.com”, Buisness.
2.) Title: “MPAA Defends Ratings System: Parents Are Happy”. Producer and website: “The Huffington Post”. A News site reporting about a statement made by the MPAA.
3.) Jake Coyle, part of the Associated Press, frequently reviews movies and the happenings of Hollywood.
4.) The article was uploaded in November 13, 2013.
5.) Chock full of opinion and reference to other events and concerns of its time, still ours in a way, it lacks outside citation and is leads towards the end goal of changing the MPAA’s standards on violence. It uses a recent movie rating to carry his ideals and thoughts towards the rating system for a two page length opinion piece.
6.) When looking at The Huffington Post, Jake isn't a part of the staff here. The article was reposted from the Associated Press.
I can use this chapter to decide what sources I've collected prove to be useful quotes and statements for my research paper—or if they’re garbage and in need for replacement.
Coyle, Jake. "MPAA Defends Ratings System: Parents Are Happy." The Huffington Post. 13 Nov. 2013. Web. 21 Jan. 2015. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/13/mpaa-ratings- system_n_4269665.html>.
1.) “.com”, Buisness.
2.) Title: “MPAA Defends Ratings System: Parents Are Happy”. Producer and website: “The Huffington Post”. A News site reporting about a statement made by the MPAA.
3.) Jake Coyle, part of the Associated Press, frequently reviews movies and the happenings of Hollywood.
4.) The article was uploaded in November 13, 2013.
5.) Chock full of opinion and reference to other events and concerns of its time, still ours in a way, it lacks outside citation and is leads towards the end goal of changing the MPAA’s standards on violence. It uses a recent movie rating to carry his ideals and thoughts towards the rating system for a two page length opinion piece.
6.) When looking at The Huffington Post, Jake isn't a part of the staff here. The article was reposted from the Associated Press.
Chapter 7 Review
Chapter seven of the Bedford Researcher discusses the importance of Avoiding Plagiarism. The lesson starts with defining plagiarism, summarized well in the first sentence of page 121, "... a form of intellectual dishonesty." It continues to elaborate on three different kind of events allowing plagiarism to happen: Unintentional, Intentional, and Group Projects. Unintentional is exactly what it sounds, occurring from error or negligence. Intentional is the same, but with entirely heinous motives-- possibly purchasing a paper and calling it your own is included. Group Project proves to be fuzzy, as it concerns the work ethic and authorization of the collaborative paper. Before moving onto the next subject, there's a quick lesson on avoiding unintentional plagiarism.
The several following lessons quickly address questions concerning plagiarism, such as "What are research ethics", "What is common knowledge", and "What is fair use and when should I ask permission to use a source?" The chapter then ends on discussing the ways to avoid plagiarism in your paper. By conducting "a knowledge inventory", taking "notes carefully", distinguishing "between your ideas and those drawn from your sources", citing "sources in the text and in a works cited or reference list", and recognizing "misconceptions about intentional plagiarism", you can effectively remove the threat of disciplinary action or worse from submitting your research paper.
By this point, it's obvious how I'm going to integrate this sort of knowledge into my paper, but just for clarification, it's going to help me not get sued or kicked out of college.
The several following lessons quickly address questions concerning plagiarism, such as "What are research ethics", "What is common knowledge", and "What is fair use and when should I ask permission to use a source?" The chapter then ends on discussing the ways to avoid plagiarism in your paper. By conducting "a knowledge inventory", taking "notes carefully", distinguishing "between your ideas and those drawn from your sources", citing "sources in the text and in a works cited or reference list", and recognizing "misconceptions about intentional plagiarism", you can effectively remove the threat of disciplinary action or worse from submitting your research paper.
By this point, it's obvious how I'm going to integrate this sort of knowledge into my paper, but just for clarification, it's going to help me not get sued or kicked out of college.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Sources for MPAA Paper
1.) Phillips, Michael. "There's a Word for the MPAA...." Chicago Tribune. Tribune Publishing, 4 Nov. 2010. Web. 15 Jan. 2015. <http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-11-04/entertainment/chi-talking-pictures-1105_1_joan-graves-r-rating-mpaas>.
2.) Thompson, Kimberly, and Fumie Yokota. "Violence, Sex, and Profanity in Films: Correlation of Movie Ratings With Content." Medscape. Medscape, 3 June 2004. Web. 15 Jan. 2015. <http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/480900>.
3.) Sneed, Tierney. "Don’t Expect Any Major Changes to the MPAA Ratings System in 2014." US News. U.S.News & World Report, 7 Jan. 2014. Web. 15 Jan. 2015. <http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/01/07/dont-expect-a-new-movie-ratings-system-in-2014>.
4.) Nalkur, Priya, Patrick Jamieson, and Daniel Romer. "The Effectiveness of the Motion Picture Association of America's Rating System in Screening Explicit Violence and Sex in Top-ranked Movies From 1950 to 2006." ScienceDirect. Elsevier, 1 Nov. 2010. Web. 21 Jan. 2015. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1054139X10000790>.
5.) Krule, Miriam. "A.O. Scott’s Explanations of MPAA Ratings Are Even Better Than His Movie Reviews." Browbeat. 28 Mar. 2014. Web. 21 Jan. 2015. <http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2014/03/28/new_york_times_mpaa_rating_explanations_how_a_o_scott_turns_pg_13s_into.html>.
6.) Coyle, Jake. "MPAA Defends Ratings System: Parents Are Happy." The Huffington Post. 13 Nov. 2013. Web. 21 Jan. 2015. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/13/mpaa-ratings-system_n_4269665.html>.
7.) Kehrberg, Amanda. "Bully Ratings Controversy Sparks Criticism of MPAA System." NewTimes Phoenix. 5 Apr. 2012. Web. 21 Jan. 2015. <http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/jackalope/2012/04/bully_phoenix_film_festival_ra.php>.
8.) Cohen, Joel, and Americus Reed II. "A Multiple Pathway Anchoring and Adjustment (MPAA) Model of Attitude Generation and Recruitment." Chicago Tribune. The University of Chicago Press, 1 June 2006. Web. 21 Jan. 2015. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/504121>.
9.) Worth Keilah, Sonya Cin, and James Sargent. "Prevalence of Smoking among Major Movie Characters: 1996-2004." Tobacco Control. BMJ, 1 Dec. 2006. Web. 20 Jan. 2015. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/20748060>.
10.) Schmidt, C. James. "Sex-and-Violence Ratings: What's in Them for Libraries?" American Libraries. American Library Association, 1 Apr. 2000. Web. 20 Jan. 2015. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/25637581>.
11. ) Hebert, Thomas P., and Daniel R. Hammond. "Guided Viewing of Film with Gifted Students: Resources for Educators and Counselors." Gifted Child Today 29.3 (2006): 14-27. Web. 27 Jan. 2015.
12.) Abelman, Robert, and E. Jean Gubbins. "Preaching to the Choir: TV Advisory Usage among Parents of Gifted Children." Roeper Review 22.1 (1999): 56-64. Web. 27 Jan. 2015.
13.) Krcmar, Marina, and Joanne Cantor. "The Role of Television Advisories and Ratings in Parent-Child Discussion of Television Viewing Choices." Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media 41.3 (1997): 393-411. Web. 27 Jan. 2015.
14.) Wilson, Barbara. "What's Wrong with the Ratings?" Center for Media Literacy. Web. 28 Jan. 2015. <http://www.medialit.org/reading-room/whats-wrong-ratings>.
15.) Ebert, Roger. "Getting Real About Movie Ratings." WSJ. 11 Dec. 2010. Web. 28 Jan. 2015. <http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703766704576009343432436296>.
16.) Moon, Sangkil, Paul K. Bergey, and Dawn Iacobucci. "Dynamic Effects among Movie Ratings, Movie Revenues, and Viewer Satisfaction." Journal of Marketing. N.p., Jan. 2010. Web. 29 Jan. 2015.
17.) Nowell, Richard. ""The Ambitions of Most Independent Filmmakers": Indie Production, the Majors, and Friday the 13th (1980)." Journal of Film and Video. N.p., Summer. 2011. Web. 29 Jan. 2015.
18.) Bates, Roy E. "Private Censorship of Movies." Stanford Law Review. Stanford Law Review, Feb. 1970. Web. 29 Jan. 2015.
19.) Ravid, Abraham Ravid S. "Managerial Objectives, the R-€Rating Puzzle, and the Production of Violent Films." The Journal of Buisness. The University of Chicago Press, April. 2004. Web. 29 Jan. 2015.
20.) Franklin, David. "The Professor As Censor: Creative Limitation and Film Production Pedagogy." Journal of Film and Video. Journal of Film and Video, Spring 2001. Web. 29 Jan. 2015.
Chapter 6 Review
Chapter 6 of the Bedford Researcher discusses the various tactics and methods to Managing Information and Taking Notes; storing the sources for your research paper. As one of the best researching skills, the chapter starts off by listing ways to keep the sources you cite. In the various notes-- written, printouts, databases, library articles, books, photocopies, etc.; then proceeds to direct the reader in how to keep the information organized and ready for use. From copying-and-pasting from the source to your document, saving the webpage onto your computer, emailing the documents to yourself or your peers, using your phone as a super-notepad, bookmarking the page onto your browser, using the clipping tool on Windows to save an image of a web page-- it's vital to keep your sources available and backed up.
After explaining the obvious-- why notes should be taken, it goes into the methods of taking notes. It stresses consistency in storage of notes, quoting directly from the source, using modified quotations with ellipsis to cut down on filler, modifying quotes with brackets to put it back into context, using the "sic" bracket to identify quoted errors, and the importance of careful paraphrasing and summarizing.
I can utilize this chapter's lessons by taking notes from my sources in the fashion provided in the textbook.
After explaining the obvious-- why notes should be taken, it goes into the methods of taking notes. It stresses consistency in storage of notes, quoting directly from the source, using modified quotations with ellipsis to cut down on filler, modifying quotes with brackets to put it back into context, using the "sic" bracket to identify quoted errors, and the importance of careful paraphrasing and summarizing.
I can utilize this chapter's lessons by taking notes from my sources in the fashion provided in the textbook.
Chapter 4 Review
Chapter 4 of the Bedford Resaercher textbook discusses and defines what Reading Cirtically is. As opposed to "evaluating critically", reading critically concerns the source material and what it means, not determining if the source is reliable to cite. The chapter continues by providing steps on the topic, poviding examples from other students, and a quick activity that refines the research question in the research log.
The chapter then discusses reading with an attitude, keeping your research question and position statement related to the reading, ways of marking sources and taking notes, kinds of evidence, variations of analysis, and combo methods between sources.
In summary, the chapter is a crash course in reading papers from blogs to professors, analyzing and description paragraphs to utilize them as points and reasons in your research paper. It describes the various ways that evidence can be provided, where reasons may lie, when to skim and when to comb, how to reread efficiently, and at what point you should scrap the source for it's true nature and move onto the next.
All of this information can be utilized in my research paper by using it in practice when analyzing the sources that I've pre-scanned for relevance and accuracy to my research question and position.
The chapter then discusses reading with an attitude, keeping your research question and position statement related to the reading, ways of marking sources and taking notes, kinds of evidence, variations of analysis, and combo methods between sources.
In summary, the chapter is a crash course in reading papers from blogs to professors, analyzing and description paragraphs to utilize them as points and reasons in your research paper. It describes the various ways that evidence can be provided, where reasons may lie, when to skim and when to comb, how to reread efficiently, and at what point you should scrap the source for it's true nature and move onto the next.
All of this information can be utilized in my research paper by using it in practice when analyzing the sources that I've pre-scanned for relevance and accuracy to my research question and position.
Chapter 8 Review
Chapter 8 of the Bedford Researcher starts Part III of the textbook and discusses the subtopic of Collecting Information: Searching for Information with Digital Resources. After going through a lengthy table-of-contents, the first couple of pages prepare the reader to search online for their research projects by "Reviewing Your Research Plan", "Identifying Keywords and Phrases", and going into well-advised detail on how to "Plan Basic Searches". Basic searches involve abrupt to verbatim searches of your topic, sometimes utilizing abbreviations or synonyms to achieve better results. The material then proceeds to the advanced search methods and describes how to narrow searches with Boolean Operators, using variables to add or subtract keywords in searches, and how to conduct visual searches.
The chapter then briefly discusses using online library catalogs; whether it'd be books, journals, newspapers, magazines, documents on microfilm, CDs, DVDs, maps, or other papers written by college graduates, online libraries provide sound and reliable sources with more narrowing options to focus your search. Not only can you utilize the average search engine tools, but you can choose specific areas of study, such as law, education, science, etc.
In my research paper, all of this information can definitely be utilized (and probably will be) to collect information online that is reliable and relevant to the topics discussed in my paper.
The chapter then briefly discusses using online library catalogs; whether it'd be books, journals, newspapers, magazines, documents on microfilm, CDs, DVDs, maps, or other papers written by college graduates, online libraries provide sound and reliable sources with more narrowing options to focus your search. Not only can you utilize the average search engine tools, but you can choose specific areas of study, such as law, education, science, etc.
In my research paper, all of this information can definitely be utilized (and probably will be) to collect information online that is reliable and relevant to the topics discussed in my paper.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Research Questions
1.) Controversy of MPAA and Cinema Censorship
i.) Which is censoring movies, the MPAA or Hollywood?
ii.) Is the MPAA overprotecting or underprotecting kids?
iii.) How has the MPAA changed since NC-17?
iv.) Why is the MPAA controversial?
v.) Should we fix the MPAA?
2.) Possible economic outcomes for space travel in commercial marketplace
i.) What will the price of space travel be?
ii.) Will anyone govern commercial space travel?
iii.) How will space travel prices change from now to then?
iv.) When will space travel be affordable?
v.) Can commercial space travel be a capitalist gold mine?
3.) The rate of using resources and future rates
i.) Are we wasting resources faster than ever and what does the future look like?
ii.) When will we replace our shoes daily?
iii.) What is the current rate and projected rate of clothes wasted?
iv.) How many shoes are in a landfill?
v.) Why are clothes cheaper, and where do they come from?
i.) Which is censoring movies, the MPAA or Hollywood?
ii.) Is the MPAA overprotecting or underprotecting kids?
iii.) How has the MPAA changed since NC-17?
iv.) Why is the MPAA controversial?
v.) Should we fix the MPAA?
2.) Possible economic outcomes for space travel in commercial marketplace
i.) What will the price of space travel be?
ii.) Will anyone govern commercial space travel?
iii.) How will space travel prices change from now to then?
iv.) When will space travel be affordable?
v.) Can commercial space travel be a capitalist gold mine?
3.) The rate of using resources and future rates
i.) Are we wasting resources faster than ever and what does the future look like?
ii.) When will we replace our shoes daily?
iii.) What is the current rate and projected rate of clothes wasted?
iv.) How many shoes are in a landfill?
v.) Why are clothes cheaper, and where do they come from?
Monday, January 12, 2015
Chapter Two Review
Chapter two of The Bedford Researcher builds and continues from Getting Started; progressing to Exploring and Focusing. The chapter beings by giving various guidelines, rules, and methods to exploring selected topics; eventually coming to an issue within it. Inside the research log, a plan of exploring the topic is recommended, and several steps are embellished in the following pages. "Step 1: Create a Plan to Explore Your Topic" creates a base to follow through for the next steps, "Step 2: Discuss Your Topic with Others" can help provide insight and different perspectives on your topic, "Step 3: Conduct Preliminary Observations" takes movement to the topic-- considering visiting your topic physically if possible, "Step 4: Find and Review Sources" wraps up all the data you've collected and makes use of it.
The chapter then continues to describe ways of gathering sources for the topic you've chosen / been handed, like searching through a library's online catalog or looking through the shelves of said library. Unsurprisingly, the library is a great source of knowledge and variety in information, with sources like articles in scholarly journals, in trade or other professional journals, in magazines and newspapers, books, theses and dissertation papers, microfilm and microfiche, and many other sources as well. The chapter then elaborates on these sources, what to trust and how to find it, and the vastness of the web. Also, it recommends skimming sources to gain a faster idea on what they're about.
This chapter will help in the following days as I being to find and use sources to narrow my topic's question down.
The chapter then continues to describe ways of gathering sources for the topic you've chosen / been handed, like searching through a library's online catalog or looking through the shelves of said library. Unsurprisingly, the library is a great source of knowledge and variety in information, with sources like articles in scholarly journals, in trade or other professional journals, in magazines and newspapers, books, theses and dissertation papers, microfilm and microfiche, and many other sources as well. The chapter then elaborates on these sources, what to trust and how to find it, and the vastness of the web. Also, it recommends skimming sources to gain a faster idea on what they're about.
This chapter will help in the following days as I being to find and use sources to narrow my topic's question down.
Chapter One Review
The first chapter of The Bedford Researcher focused on the starting point of any research paper; Getting Started. The first pages started with how to make the paper matter to you, whether you had a large or minimal amount of control on what you wanted to write. "Take Ownership of Your Project", "Understanding Research Writing Processes", and "Learn How to Work with Sources" all prompted on what the researcher should recognize and will understand in the following chapters, which were also briefly described in a list of steps to creating a successful research essay. Chapters one through twenty-four will describe how to chose and refine topics, develop a research question, taking critical notes and sources without plagiarism, gathering information, establishing a solid argument, creating the first draft, revising, designing, then citing your sources upon completion. To make these steps less complicated, a researching log is recommended for the entire procedure.
The chapter continued to describe learning how to develop a position, understanding genre and design, understanding the importance of reader and context, being aware of new technological opportunities and challenges, preparing to manage time, how to create a project timeline, and the steps to choosing an appropriate topic. All of these ideas and methods of working can be applied to my research paper right now, through focusing on the best topic I've conjured and sharpening the questions and reasons surrounding it.
The chapter continued to describe learning how to develop a position, understanding genre and design, understanding the importance of reader and context, being aware of new technological opportunities and challenges, preparing to manage time, how to create a project timeline, and the steps to choosing an appropriate topic. All of these ideas and methods of working can be applied to my research paper right now, through focusing on the best topic I've conjured and sharpening the questions and reasons surrounding it.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
5 Possible Topics for Research
Not great, but not awful ideas.
1.) Quality of music VS Quantity of music: Is there too much music being put out right now that's degrading the quality? This topic would cover music from the past to music now, possible nostalgia implications, and the public opinion of music then and now from audiences then and now.
2.) Prices of space travel: A capitalist economy? If a space boom is coming soon, how will tickets be handled to the public and will it be dictated by any governing system?
3.) Should we get rid of the MPAA? Is the MPAA restricting creative freedom and ruled unfairly or is it one of the last bumper guards from children experiencing adult themes.
4.) Is everything getting thrown away faster? Objectively, in the sense of clothes, devices, technology, we seem to be trashing the old and bringing in the new at a faster rate. Is this the case of a better and consumer-friendly market or poor construction?
5.) Are people becoming more well informed or just connected to Google? Has the trivial intelligence of people improved in the past decade or do people have faster thumbs?
1.) Quality of music VS Quantity of music: Is there too much music being put out right now that's degrading the quality? This topic would cover music from the past to music now, possible nostalgia implications, and the public opinion of music then and now from audiences then and now.
2.) Prices of space travel: A capitalist economy? If a space boom is coming soon, how will tickets be handled to the public and will it be dictated by any governing system?
3.) Should we get rid of the MPAA? Is the MPAA restricting creative freedom and ruled unfairly or is it one of the last bumper guards from children experiencing adult themes.
4.) Is everything getting thrown away faster? Objectively, in the sense of clothes, devices, technology, we seem to be trashing the old and bringing in the new at a faster rate. Is this the case of a better and consumer-friendly market or poor construction?
5.) Are people becoming more well informed or just connected to Google? Has the trivial intelligence of people improved in the past decade or do people have faster thumbs?
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