GS 140: Introduction to Research

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Your assignment:

Your research proposal What is your proposed study about? Identify & discuss what has been written by others on this topic. How will data be collected in your proposed study?  Introduction: your “statement of the research problem” or “thesis” that is clear, specific, practical.  Literature Review: discussion of publications on the topic –)  Statement of methods/design that will be used to collect your data (quantitative &/or qualitative…)  Bibliography with annotations (i.e. with notes)

Example: citation + annotation (note): summarizes contents McIvor, S.D. (1995). Aboriginal women’s rights as “existing rights”. Canadian Woman Studies/Les Cahiers de la Femme 2/3, This article discusses recent constitutional legislation as it affects the human rights of aboriginal women in Canada: the Constitution Act (1982), its amendment in 1983, and amendments to the Indian Act (1985). It also discusses the implications for aboriginal women of the Supreme Court of Canada’s interpretation of the Constitution Act in R. v. Sparrow (1991)

Example: citation + annotation (note): identifies the argument McIvor, S.D. (1995). Aboriginal women’s rights as “existing rights”. Canadian Woman Studies/Les Cahiers de la Femme 2/3, This article discusses recent constitutional legislation as it affects the human rights of aboriginal women in Canada: the Constitution Act (1982), its amendment in 1983, and amendments to the Indian Act (1985).This legislation reverses prior laws that denied Indian status to aboriginal women who married non-aboriginal men. On the basis of the Supreme Court of Canada’s interpretation of the Constitution Act in R. v. Sparrow (1991), McIvor argues that the Act recognizes fundamental human rights & existing aboriginal rights, granting to aboriginal women full participation in the aboriginal right to self-government.

 What is the topic for your research proposal?  Express it clearly in one full sentence, if possible  Pick out the key concepts in your sentence  Browse sources using keywords…  Refine your topic if needed (based on what you have read).  Check with your instructor if necessary – if your want to change or refine your topic.

Sample research statement (thesis):

Starting your research

Newspapers

Sample search : Recent & reliable research articles on images of women in the media and its effect on women

Journal articles in e-resources (“licensed databases “offered through Centennial Libraries):

Journals: scholarly or general level? Scholarly articles  are documented (in-text citations, footnotes or endnotes).  Most are peer reviewed = highest research quality; many are reports on original research done General articles  are not documented 43

What is the meaning of

4545 “Peer reviewed” articles  Also called “refereed” or “academic” or “scholarly”  Well researched, authoritative work  Often write-ups on original research done  A committee of scholars must approve quality before the editor publishes  Most databases allow you to limit to peer reviewed if you want 45

You might be lucky?

Searching for articles on your topic

Title field Subject field Abstract field

For speed…