1. Developing a Good Research Question (for Project #4)

2. Deliverables for Project #4 Individual Research Paper: 1. A short (~3-4 pages) singlespaced research paper that investigates a question related to the main topic of the course 2. A short oral presentation (~5 minutes) based on that paper, delivered to the class asynchronously using PowerPoint slides (with audio)

3. Research Questions Q1: How are digital technologies — such as the Internet, the World Wide Web, cell phones, wireless technology, etc. — changing the way we write and communicate with each other and the way we learn? Q: How have recent developments in digital technology changed, for better or for worse, how you communicate, how you learn and access information, and/or how you interact with others? Q: Is Wikipedia a reliable and valid resource? Should students use it in academic and professional contexts?

4. What is a “good” research question? One that asks a genuine, researchable question - Bad: Are businesses using telepresence? (yes-no question, nowhere to go with this) - OK: What is telepresence? (informative/descriptive paper or report) - Good: Should businesses invest in telepresence systems? (argumentative paper leading to thesis or recommendation) One that matters to you and to some audience —> it addresses a real issue or problem, it is of recent interest One that is specific (narrow) enough to be treated fully in a short paper Focus must be on a digital communication technology

5. What is a “good” research question? TOO LARGE How are digital technologies changing business communication practices? (e.g., the way that business reports are produced, delivered, read; how team work and collaboration happen; what counts as effective, high-quality work in a digital business environment) MORE FOCUSED Can businesses use blogs effectively for internal and external communications? Can businesses use blogs effectively as a way to communicate with clients and customers? Can businesses use wikis [or telepresence] effectively for internal communications?

6. What is a “good” research question? TOO LARGE How are digital technologies changing our communication practices? MORE FOCUSED Is the Internet making students writing worse? How are social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace changing our relationships with friends and family? How is the Internet affecting cross-cultural communications? Are cultural differences and values starting to become erased? Can video games or virtual worlds be effective learning environments? Do men and women use social networking sites differently?

7. What is a “good” research question? TOO LARGE How are digital technologies changing our writing/composing practices — for better, for worse? MORE FOCUSED Are blogs and other online media leading to the deterioration of writing? Do cell phones, text messaging, twittering have a positive or negative effect on writing ability?

8. What is a “good” research paper? It addresses a genuine question of interest, relevance, and importance to you and to some professional audience It is based on solid, credible information written by experts and professionals (e.g., credible research sources, scholarly or peer- reviewed material, information collected through systematic methodology, established expert in given area) —> and it shows this via citations and references It is thorough, providing sufficient information, analysis, and discussion that the reader can make an independent judgment —> which is why research papers are longer! It provides a thesis, claim, or recommendation that is defended through use of evidence —> in essence, an answer to the question It addresses or rebuts competing claims

11. Credibility of sources: Criteria Factuality, Accuracy, Truthfulness Solid Research Basis —> knowledgeable, well-informed, expert, based on systematic inquiry and data collection Editorial Oversight/Peer Review Bias - not per se "bad," but you need to be aware of it Currency (up to date or out of date?) - old is not necessarily bad, but you need to be aware of it, particularly with digital technology topics (big difference between 2006 and 2008)

15. What is a “working bibliography”? A list of sources — titled References in APA format — that you’ve collected that are relevant to your guiding question, some of which you're read, some of which you haven't (but intend to). Include at least FOUR scholarly, credible sources in your list, in addition to some popular sources List your sources in appropriate APA format for References

16. Professional Databases MSU Getting Started Guide: Business http://guides.lib.msu.edu/rqs.phtml?subject_id=94 MSU Getting Started Guide: Education http://guides.lib.msu.edu/rqs.phtml?subject_id=104 MSU Getting Started Guide: Medicine http://guides.lib.msu.edu/rqs.phtml?subject_id=123 MSU Getting Started Guide: International Studies http://guides.lib.msu.edu/rqs.phtml?subject_id=116

17. Due by Friday, July 3rd Your guiding research question for Project #4 Your working bibliography for Project #4 —> about 8-12 sources total, including at least FOUR scholarly sources —> in correct APA format for References Put your question and sources in an ANGEL email and send it to the entire class —> NOT as an attached document!

18. summary reaction or analysis citation

22. Developing a Good Research Question (for Project #4)