Day 6 Objectives SWBATD comprehension by explaining the difference between Internet searching using databases and search engines. SWBATD comprehension by explaining in writing how to evaluate the appropriateness and effectiveness of electronic resources. Activities 1. The Process of Research: MLA 2. Analysis of a Visual Text: The Signs of Advertising Homework Strunk – Elementary Rules of Usage

The Process of Research Research as a form of writing Conducting research Compiling a working bibliography Evaluating sources Taking notes Plagiarism

Research paper as a form of writing Form of written communication Should present information & ideas clearly and effectively Document fully the facts and opinions from your research Research should only support your statements & provide concise information – it should not obscure your own ideas

Conducting Research Central Information System includes the library’s catalog: – Books – Serials – Electronic publications – Audiovisual materials – Bibliographic databases – Other electronic resources

Conducting research: Reference Works Types of Reference Works: – Indexes – Bibliographies – Collections of abstracts – Guides to research – Dictionaries – Encyclopedias – Biographical sources – Yearbooks – Atlases – Gazetteers – Statistical data sources

Conducting research: Reference Works Publication forms of reference works: print and electronic – Print may be in a reference room – General reference grouped together – Specialized grouped according to subject area – Electronic may be databases online or on CD-ROM – Electronic advantages: More information Cover several years vs. single year Usually more current Can print out or download information rather than having to make copies Can search in various ways

Conducting Research: Library of Congress Library of Congress Classification System: A.General works B.Philosophy, psychology, & religion C.General history D.World history E.American history F.American history G.Geography and anthropology H.Social sciences I J.Political science K.Law L.Education M.Music N.Fine arts O P.Language and literature Q.Science R.Medicine S.Agriculture T.Technology U.Military science V.Naval science W X Y Z.Bibliography and library science

Conducting Research: Other services Interlibrary loans Photocopying service Computer centers Questions

Working Bibliography Keep track of sources you may use for your paper Find more sources in the references of the sources you pick out This is most easily done on a computer rather than written out longhand. While researching, sources can be rearranged in various ways to help you

Evaluating Sources Not all sources are equally reliable or of equal quality Authorship and Authority – Make sure author or group responsible is identified – Author’s credentials – do they have the expertise necessary – Look for a statement of mission or purpose on websites – Look at the URL suffix:.com=commercial,.edu=educational,.gov=government,.org=organization Accuracy and Verifiability – Are the work’s sources listed so information can be verified – Is there an address to ask for further information or clarification Currency – Publication date – Be sure at least one date is assigned to a source – Items may be considered not current within a few months, years, or decades – depends on topic

Taking Notes Many methods but basics include: – Summary Summarize if you want to record only the general idea of large amounts of material – Paraphrase Restate material in own words when you need detailed notes on specifics but not exact wording – Quotation Transcribe exactly as appears, word for word, comma for comma. Use quotation marks to distinguish from paraphrase – Accurate record of pages or numbered sections – Save your notes and if they are on a computer, keep a backup copy – Questions?

Plagiarism Plagiarism: To use another person’s ideas or expressions without acknowledging the source is to plagiarize. Severe penalties: failure to expulsion Keep careful notes = show the difference between your thoughts & the materials from others. Plagiarism: Failure to give appropriate acknowledgment when: – Repeating another’s wording – Paraphrasing another’s argument – Presenting another’s line of thinking

Plagiarism, cont. Example Handout Rarely need sources for familiar proverbs, well- known quotations, or common knowledge Any doubt – cite the source Three related issues: – Self-plagiarism – Collaborative work – Copyright infringement Questions?

Up next: The Signs of Advertising

Advertising on the Edge – Levi jeans ad – Budweiser beer ad – Analysis The Dove Dilemma – Dove Campaign for Real Beauty And Here’s the Pitch – Signs of cultural desire and consciousness – Behavior modification

The Signs of Advertising, cont. The semiotic foundation Ads substitute signs for things Reading those signs you can discover the values and desires that advertisers seek to exploit Transformation of desire into necessity Questions?

The Signs of Advertising, cont. The commodification of desire A consuming economy Advertising most prevalent here – Paris Match vs. Vogue Constantly pushed to buy Contents of ads differ as popular culture changes – 20s: improved social status

The Signs of Advertising, cont. Marchand reading shows how advertisers in the 1920s played on the unconscious desires of the market by exploiting myths of middle- class American culture. Questions?

Closing Thoughts Tonight, read The Elements of Style, part one: The Elementary Rules of Usage. Tomorrow, – Rules of usage – Visual analysis practice – Bring your images to share in groups