3.1 Databases and Search Engines
Due in Google Documents by the deadline posted in the schedule.
Before you begin this project, read Strategies for Technical Communication in the Workplace Chapter 3 (pp. 32-48).
For your primary activity this week, I'd like you to locate five sources for your project--three of the sources should be from a library database (called "Periodical Databases" in your textbook--pg. 40) and two sources for your project should come from Google Scholar or online search engines (these sources MUST be reliable for your particular audience).
Once you have located your sources, annotate the sources (this activity will eventually become the last section of your proposal--"Data Sources"):
Complete this activity in Google Documents and share it with me (be sure I can edit).
Before you begin this project, read Strategies for Technical Communication in the Workplace Chapter 3 (pp. 32-48).
For your primary activity this week, I'd like you to locate five sources for your project--three of the sources should be from a library database (called "Periodical Databases" in your textbook--pg. 40) and two sources for your project should come from Google Scholar or online search engines (these sources MUST be reliable for your particular audience).
Once you have located your sources, annotate the sources (this activity will eventually become the last section of your proposal--"Data Sources"):
- Cite your sources in MLA or APA format (see the instructions for "Electronic Sources" beginning on page 442 for MLA or 453 for APA in your textbook).
- Under each citation, annotate your source by doing the following:
- Write a brief description of what the source contains.
- Write a brief description of why the source is useful for your project.
- Describe why the source is reliable using the information in the "Strategies" section on page 35 in your textbook.
Complete this activity in Google Documents and share it with me (be sure I can edit).
Think About It
Audience Awareness
The audience for his activity is Dr. Harris and the purpose of this activity is to demonstrate to me that you have located reliable sources that will help you finish your proposal and formal report. I will be able to review your sources and help you either locate better sources or more clearly document your sources before you include this section on your proposal.
Information Literacy
Be sure to use the guidelines in the textbook when selecting your sources. You may be tempted to just do a quick Google Search and then just select the first few sources that appear for this activity. However, you need to focus on finding peer-reviewed (i.e., validated by experts in a particular field) and reliable sources that will be persuasive to the audience that you have selected for your formal report (where these sources will eventually be used). This activity also provides you an opportunity to practice documentation using MLA or APA guidelines before you will be assessed on these in the proposal and formal report.
Digital Literacy
You will need to practice using the Ottenheimer Library databases for finding three of these sources and Google Scholar and online databases for finding the rest. In addition, you will use Google Docs to submit this activity and to receive and address any comments that I add to your document. Be sure to name the Google Document with the name of the activity.
Audience Awareness
The audience for his activity is Dr. Harris and the purpose of this activity is to demonstrate to me that you have located reliable sources that will help you finish your proposal and formal report. I will be able to review your sources and help you either locate better sources or more clearly document your sources before you include this section on your proposal.
Information Literacy
Be sure to use the guidelines in the textbook when selecting your sources. You may be tempted to just do a quick Google Search and then just select the first few sources that appear for this activity. However, you need to focus on finding peer-reviewed (i.e., validated by experts in a particular field) and reliable sources that will be persuasive to the audience that you have selected for your formal report (where these sources will eventually be used). This activity also provides you an opportunity to practice documentation using MLA or APA guidelines before you will be assessed on these in the proposal and formal report.
Digital Literacy
You will need to practice using the Ottenheimer Library databases for finding three of these sources and Google Scholar and online databases for finding the rest. In addition, you will use Google Docs to submit this activity and to receive and address any comments that I add to your document. Be sure to name the Google Document with the name of the activity.