Reagan Braker

  This past Friday we went to the library for our second visit to learn about scholarly research and started on some more research. This Friday we focused more on how to choose a research topic. We got an overview on how to choose one and then we did an activity on it. In the activity, we were handed three different random words and we had to develop a research topic about the three words. This activity helped a lot with learning how to develop research questions. It made you have to think a little bit out of the box and think about how these topics would go together then make a research topic. When learning more about how to choose a research topic. We learned how some research topics will be broader than others and how some may have many pieces to them. The example we were shown was like a puzzle of how they all fit together. We learned the first step is to find your research topic.  Mine is “What negative effects mental and physical does social media bring? The second step ...

  This week we were able to go to the library and learn more scholarly research and I learned a lot of new information that I didn't know before. The librarian taught us the general definition of what academic journal and how to identify one. We also learned how different people define scholarly research in different ways and it can look totally different to some people. She provided us with examples of scholarly research for us to discuss as a group and that was a good activity to learn more about them.  We were walked through how to use the North Central Library online and how easy it can be. There are so many resources, from scheduling an appointment with a library in person or even online and using the Cardinal Search. The Cardinal Search was a great resource to learn about to help find our academic journal and different sources for our project. I'm so glad I was able to learn about the online library it will be so helpful for this project and other classes too.  I wa...

  This week in class we started learning about our rational argument paper and read over some examples out of the textbook. We discussed what makes a good rational argument and how when doing your research about the topic you may reconsider your original stance and that’s okay. Suppose we were to argue in a close-minded way that would be considered an irrational argument. We also talked about how to find a good academic journal to use and how to read it. We also collaborated on our ideas on what we were going to write about for the rational argument paper. After thinking about it I think the topic that I wrote on for my microtheme would be a great option on social media. I’ve started doing research and starting to map out a draft today a little bit. This upcoming week I need to focus on finding an academic journal for my paper and developing my draft.