Next Steps

UCOLL 300 - Unit II - Next Steps

Now that you have completed this tutorial, you should be able to:

  • Name and recognize the elements of book, article, reference (encyclopedia article, for example) entry, government document, and media citations.
  • Associate these different types of resources to specific databases you can access this semester.

 

 

 

Next steps:

During this semester, you will learn how to shape an academic topic that is suitable for a 300 or 400 level research paper. As the first step toward this goal, you will eed to identify a "starting point topic."

Think of one general academic topic from a class, or a topic of interest. You will develop this topic over the course of the semester, so pick something you are enthusiatic about delving into.

  • Examples of acceptable "starting point topics": global warming, autistic children, ecological issues in Washington State, violent gangs
  • Examples of unacceptable topics for UCOLL 300: The best breed of dog to adopt, the best way to invest your money, topics that may be too personal to you because you will need to display objectivity and base your work on research rather than personal events and feelings

Give some thought to your "starting point topic," but remember, it will develop and take shape over time so you don't need anything too specific at this point.

Next, go to the discussion forum where you will find an activity related to the reference or "pre-search" tools you have just learned about.  Complete the activity, and submit an original post to the forum.  You will have the opportunity to exchange ideas with your classmates on what you have learned so far.

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