CMNS 130 COMMUNICATION POLICY Research Sylvia Roberts, CMNS librarian sroberts@sfu.ca The use of published materials to investigate research questions

Context: Actions for essay proposal due in week 6: Select an appropriate topic Search for information sources to support your discussion Write a 2 page proposal “Too often students haven't found good resources, or relevant resources, or haven't really read them, or have done all of their research on google” Proposal and bibliography due week 6 – Feb 2? I’ll be away the week it’s due Feb 18-22 CMNS 130 - Fall 2014

Context: Actions for essay proposal due in week 6: Select an appropriate topic Search for information sources to support your discussion Write a 2 page proposal “Too often students haven't found good resources, or relevant resources, or haven't really read them, or have done all of their research on google” Proposal and bibliography due week 6 – Feb 2? I’ll be away the week it’s due Feb 18-22 CMNS 130 - Fall 2014

Goals for this session: Discover the CMNS130 research guide Introduce mass media policy research Discuss characteristics of scholarly / academic information sources Learn how to find these Find out who (and how) to consult about your specific research questions CMNS 130 - Fall 2014

Research requirements Write an essay on a topic related to the focus of this course – mass communication....your topic must have some regulatory or policy angle.  Your proposal will make an exploratory type of topic statement and some research questions that you intend to answer.  You need to fully research and understand your topic before you can come to an opinion or thesis statement about it The bibliography accompanying your proposal must contain a minimum of 4 references: 1 academic book, and 3 academic articles. 1 of the articles must be a course reading.  You may use more references than four; all must be academic sources.    For your final paper, you must have a minimum of 5 academic peer reviewed sources, 4 from outside course material, and at least 1 from course readings.  You may use UP TO 3 non-academic sources in supplementary research. As stated in the GUIDELINES FOR ESSAY PROPOSAL AND TERM PAPER ASSIGNMENT CMNS 130 - Fall 2014

Definitions of policy course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization or individual (http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/policy) a)  a definite course or method of action selected from among alternatives and in light of given conditions to guide and determine present and future decisions b)  a high-level overall plan embracing the general goals and acceptable procedures especially of a governmental body (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/policy?show=0&t=1380585102) CMNS 130 - Fall 2014

Examples of media policy topics Includes an aspect of mass media regulation: State / government : example example2 Court precedents : example Industry self-regulation : example NGO-initiated: example No regulation? : example CMNS 130 research guide Government regulation means there are administrative or criminal sanctions for not complying with the rules. Failure to comply may mean a fine or loss of a broadcasting license. Sometimes court cases set precedents for how future legal proceedings shall be determined Industry regulation, also known as self-regulation, can usually be identified in articles that discuss the topic. Often an organization is formed specifically for this purpose, funded by member groups but operating as a separate entity. Canadian Advertising Standards Council, e.g. NGOs may be focused on regulating media specifically, such as the media awareness network, or have an interest in a broader topic in which media plays a role, for example, the Canadian Pediatric Society's interest in children includes an interest in regulating media violence. CMNS 130 - Fall 2014

Research requirements Write an essay on a topic related to the focus of this course – mass communication....your topic must have some regulatory or policy angle.  Your proposal will make an exploratory type of topic statement and some research questions that you intend to answer.  You need to fully research and understand your topic before you can come to an opinion or thesis statement about it The bibliography accompanying your proposal must contain a minimum of 4 references: 1 academic book, and 3 academic articles. 1 of the articles must be a course reading.  You may use more references than four; all must be academic sources.    For your final paper, you must have a minimum of 5 academic peer reviewed sources, 4 from outside course material, and at least 1 from course readings.  You may use UP TO 3 non-academic sources in supplementary research. As stated in the GUIDELINES FOR ESSAY PROPOSAL AND TERM PAPER ASSIGNMENT CMNS 130 - Fall 2014

Scholarly / Academic sources Requirement for bibliography – why? Is this an academic article? How can you tell? Demo finding academic sources on the topic of net neutrality in Canada Author affiliations Length References Journal Language CMNS 130 - Fall 2014

Research consultations Ask a Librarian In-person Chat TXT Us! Email Phone Consultation by appointment: Sylvia Roberts - sroberts@sfu.ca CMNS 130 - Fall 2014

Writing your paper The Student Learning Commons is your academic success centre! We offer… free writing workshops a wide range of online writing resources one-on-one consultations (appointments or drop-ins) with trained peer educators assistance with learning, reading, and studying skills and strategies. services at all three SFU campuses Go to http://learningcommons.sfu.ca CMNS 130 - Fall 2014

Goals for this session: Discover the CMNS130 research guide Introduce mass media policy research Discuss characteristics of scholarly / academic information sources Learn how to find these Find out who (and how) to consult about your specific research questions CMNS 130 - Fall 2014

Good luck with your research! Sylvia Roberts Liaison Librarian for CMNS sroberts@sfu.ca