Choose a Research Question Your research question should be relevant to the study of Communication. What interests you about this field? Social media? News and politics? Video games and children? These are all broadly viable areas, but you will have to translate the general topic (e.g., news media or social media) into a question (e.g., How is the decline of print media affecting American politics? or What implications do social media have for American family life?). You will need to be able to explain why the question you have selected is important. Why does it matter?
Writing Your Literature Review
To write a successful paper, you must have a thesis to argue. Specifica1ly, you will need to select a particular hypothesis about an effect of the media and systematically examine available evidence about that effect, gleaned from research literature. Below, find a series of steps to follow in generating your thesis, gathering information about it, revising or extending it, and then organizing your research into an effective paper. (NOTE: You should not write your paper using these steps as an outline. See step six below.) 1. Choose a Research Question Your research question should be relevant to the study of Communication. What interests you about this field? Social media? News and politics? Video games and children? These are all broadly viable areas, but you will have to translate the general topic (e.g., news media or social media) into a question (e.g., How is the decline of print media affecting American politics? or What implications do social media have for American family life?). You will need to be able to explain why the question you have selected is important. Why does it matter? It may be the case that the question you have identified has practical implications for media organizations, broad social implications, or something important to add to our theoretical understanding of mass communication processes. You need to be in a position to identify and explain, in clear and specific terms, why the question is compelling. 2. Provide a Tentative Answer to your Question The next step involves formulating a tentative answer to your research question. This answer encapsulates your planned argument or thesis (e.g., The decline of print media threatens democracy or Social media use furthers the clustering of Americans in smaller social units defined by close family ties). You can base this initial argument on a best guess grounded in experience, on some logical deductions from a few premises you are willing to accept, through a prediction stemming from a particular theory, or from observations gleaned from your prior reading. Whatever the source of your initial answer, you will need to take a stand in response to your research question and explain clearly and specifically why you’ve adopted this particular point of view. 3. Find Sources that Support, or Contain Evidence Contrary to, your Thesis Now that you have narrowed your broad topic down to a specific (albeit tentative) argument, you need to find peer-reviewed sources show you whether your initial thesis is most likely correct, in need of modification, or most likely incorrect. This is the information-gathering phase of your research, and you will be most successful here if you have a clear thesis in mind. Formulating a tentative answer to your question above narrows the range of material you need to seek out and it helps you determine more quickly what sources you locate are useful. Communication 300 Principles of Communication 4 At this stage, try to remain completely open to the possibility that your initial thesis is incorrect; in fact, setting out to prove yourself wrong is often a useful strategy. If you succeed in convincing yourself that another argument is superior, then you will have amassed good evidence for that new thesis. If you remain convinced of your initial thesis, you will have considered careful counter-arguments and can use them to defend your stance. For this paper, you are expected to make use of a minimum of 10-12 peer-reviewed sources of information. Although you may find general interest sources (e.g., Politico, The Atlantic) or trade publications (e.g., Editor & Publisher) to be useful, you should depend mainly on academic publications (though you can include non-academic sources as supplements). There are many useful journals to consult for this purpose, both within the field of communication, (e.g., Journal of Communication, Communication Research, New Media & Society, Political Communication, Public Opinion Quarterly, Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media), and in other social sciences (e.g., American Journal of Political Science, American Political Science Review, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, American Journal of Sociology). Visits with your TA can be of value in giving direction as you search for information sources relevant to your research question and preliminary thesis. My favorite database to search is the Web of Science; you may also find Google Scholar and Oxford Bibliographies Online helpful. I recommend that you use citation-management software such as Zotero to facilitate your research and streamline the attribution process. Using it from the start of your research process will eliminate the most tedious work at the end of writing your paper. 4. Revise and Restate your Thesis After you have completed your reading, you should be able to restate your final thesis in very clear and direct terms. You may, for example, be able to focus on a particular aspect of your thesis that, in your view, has the largest or most interesting implications (e.g., Though new digital sources of political news offer rich access to national political information, only some members of the public are capable of effectively navigating the digital environment to locate quality information. or Social media, by effectively collapsing many communication functions within single platforms, remove a number of currently public activities from the sphere of local community and place them in the private sphere.). Keep in mind that, if you have changed your thesis, you can now use your own “first hunch” to powerful rhetorical effect (e.g., Although many would suppose that social media represent the next major phase of privatization in American life, these technologies in fact offer new opportunities for social interaction and community building that may strengthen communities.) 5. Evaluate the Implications of your Thesis The final and perhaps most important part of your task will be to return to your initial Communication 300 Principles of Communication 5 question, to the reasons you found the question important, and to consider again in light of your research, what can or should be done. That is, what does your thesis suggest about logical next steps: More research? If so, what sorts of studies? Consumer awareness? If so, how? New social policy? If so, of what kind? Consideration of these issues will capture reader interest, help you say something useful, and give your work added relevance. These insights are especially useful at informing the introduction and conclusion sections of your paper. 6. Write a Well-Organized Argumentative Paper Explaining and Defending your Thesis The final step of the process involves the actual writing of your paper. Your paper will not be organized around the five preceding steps: Those are phases of the research process, and the point of your paper is not to rehearse what you went through. Your process is not important to the reader; your product is what counts. Focus on presenting your evidence and conclusions as clearly and persuasively as possible. Three general points are important to keep in mind as you draft the paper. First, be direct and to the point. State your thesis clearly and specifically in your introduction, and signal the general organization of your argument to the reader. Second, arrange supporting arguments in a coherent and structured way. Do not simply review the books and articles you have read in a serial fashion. Instead, if you have many different pieces of research to relate, synthesize them into larger, main lines of argument (e.g., three general points) in the body of your paper. Third, be certain to end your paper with a strong concluding section that wraps up the argument in a forceful way and underlines its significance. Please use the American Psychological Associations author/date system for intext citations, as in the following examples. This is very simple to automate with Zotero. Agenda setting theory received an important boost from an empirical study by McCombs and Shaw (1972). Agenda setting research has been a key area of media research for the past quarter-century (e.g., McCombs & Shaw, 1972; Iyengar & Kinder, 1987). List all of your references at the end of your paper, in alphabetical order, following the general style recommended by the APA, as in the following examples: Iyengar, S., & Kinder, D. R. (1987). News that matters: Television and American opinion. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. McCombs, M. E., & Shaw, D. L. (1972). The agenda-setting function of the media. Public Opinion Quarterly, 36(1), 176-187.
Using the Wall Street Journal, select an article about the current economic conditions and trends regarding a changing interest rate environment. How would bond values change over time?
Using the Wall Street Journal, select an article about the current economic conditions and trends regarding a changing interest rate environment. How would bond values change over time? As a bond investor, what measures would you take to manage rate risk based on current economic conditions and the current interest rate trends? Select an article to justify your position.
Clean your plate! Remember, there are children starving in other places, so do not waste food. Always eat in moderation! Stop eating when you feel full! Your eyes are always bigger than your stomach! These are just some examples of the different lessons (advice) shared with children about food and eating. In this post, you are asked to reflect on the guidance you received about eating during your childhood. Include the following in your reflection: What dietary advice were you given as a child? Now that you are an adult, what do you think of this advice?
Clean your plate! Remember, there are children starving in other places, so do not waste food. Always eat in moderation! Stop eating when you feel full! Your eyes are always bigger than your stomach!
These are just some examples of the different lessons (advice) shared with children about food and eating. In this post, you are asked to reflect on the guidance you received about eating during your childhood.
Include the following in your reflection:
What dietary advice were you given as a child?
Now that you are an adult, what do you think of this advice?
Did it help or hurt you?
How? Consider the process of providing dietary advice.
What advice will/did you give your children?
What advice would you recommend the parents of young children to share? Include one external reference
Choose one of the statements made about eating in the introduction to this discussion.
What does the statement suggest about eating?
Does the statement provide good advice or not?
What would you say to a parent you overheard offering this advice to their children? Include one external reference.
Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with citations and references in APA format.
Using the ideas presented by your peers for staff empowerment, comment on ways to incorporate those ideas in your workplace or clinical site. Describe the barriers that might affect your implementation of these ideas and what you could do to overcome them.
Please respond to a minimum of two peers. Consider the following when replying:
Using the ideas presented by your peers for staff empowerment, comment on ways to incorporate those ideas in your workplace or clinical site.
Describe the barriers that might affect your implementation of these ideas and what you could do to overcome them.
Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with citations and references.
The Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion partners with all of usall facets of NOVAto protect and strengthen the power of a community that embraces different ideas, identities, values, beliefs, intersectionalities, ages, abilities, and perspectives. Why?
NOVA’s Commitment to Seeing and Celebrating You
Come as you are. | Become who you want to be. | That is our promise.
The Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion is committed to advancing inclusive excellence. NOVA prioritizes the well-being and success of all NOVA students, faculty, staff, and community members.
The Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion partners with all of usall facets of NOVAto protect and strengthen the power of a community that embraces different ideas, identities, values, beliefs, intersectionalities, ages, abilities, and perspectives.
Why? Advancing equity aligns with the College’s Mission and Strategic Plan, but even better, a safe, inclusive and accepting college community really is a springboard to opportunity. It just is.
describe: your experience in the course, your understanding of cultural competence; social justice issues of concern; and the ways in which this course has shaped your understanding of social work practice.
describe: your experience in the course, your understanding of cultural competence; social justice issues of concern; and the ways in which this course has shaped your understanding of social work practice.
include written text, video clip(s), pictures, printouts and/or drawings that display your passion, and interest in social work.(Youth*)
1. Who am I?
Additional clarifying details: describe and reflect on your own cultural identities and intersectionality (factors : your race – black, class – middle, ethnicity – haitian american, gender – F, sexual orientation – Heterosexual, age – 29, spirituality – free).
2. Social justice issue of concern and/or current event in society?
Additional clarifying details: think about social justice issues of concern and/or current event in society that pulls your attention. Consider applying information from assigned readings, videos, course assignments, and your own understanding of prejudice, power and privilege.
3. What is cultural competence in social work practice?
Additional clarifying details: provide your explanation / understanding of cultural competence, including your learning amassed to date through this course, and what cultural competence means as it pertains to social work practice.
4. How you will use this class experience in social work practice?
Additional clarifying details: describe how you will use this class experience when working with clients and colleagues in social work practice.
Based on the grit scale and the Big Five Personality Test, what is your grit level and most dominant personality traits? Do you agree with your results? What is the value of knowing your grit level and personality traits? Do you agree with Rita Pierson’s position that emotional connections (positive or negative) are critical motivators for achieving long-term goals? Explain why or why not. Who is your champion? (Note: This can be yourself.) How does your champion contribute to your grit or motivation?
In the last module, we discussed the value of coping behaviors in managing stressors and practicing emotional regulation. In this module, we examine motivation, personality, and the importance of grit and having a growth mindset. Exercising grit and resilience is a critical component of achieving long-term goals. But where does it come from? Let’s take a deeper look at motivation and grit together.
For your initial post, complete the “How Gritty Are You?” grit assessment and the Big Five Personality Test in your webtext. Then answer the following questions:
Based on the grit scale and the Big Five Personality Test, what is your grit level and most dominant personality traits? Do you agree with your results?
What is the value of knowing your grit level and personality traits?
Do you agree with Rita Pierson’s position that emotional connections (positive or negative) are critical motivators for achieving long-term goals? Explain why or why not.
Who is your champion? (Note: This can be yourself.) How does your champion contribute to your grit or motivation?
How do the concepts of grit and personality apply to any of the following programmatic course themes:
Self-care
Social justice
Emotional intelligence
Career connections
Ethics
Remember to respond to two peers while being respectful of and sensitive to their viewpoints. Consider advancing the discussion in the following ways:
Post an article, video, or visual to reinforce a peer’s idea or challenge them to see their point from a different perspective.
Engage in conversation with your peers around the role of champions. Consider asking a question or sharing your own personal experience.
As you review the assigned students samples posted to this discussion thread and consider aspects that seemed effective, discuss your own research topic and your searching experience journey thus far. What aspects seem particularly effective?Are your initial sources providing the information needed? ?Discuss specific elements of the research process that seem frustrating (or exciting) as you work through putting it all together.
As you review the assigned students samples posted to this discussion thread and consider aspects that seemed effective, discuss your own research topic and your searching experience journey thus far.
What aspects seem particularly effective?Are your initial sources providing the information needed? ?Discuss specific elements of the research process that seem frustrating (or exciting) as you work through putting it all together.
Scenario Exercise: Your company Acme Logistics has recently been experiencing some thefts of equipment during the business day. All employees have been asked about the thefts and no one is claiming that they are responsible. Your facilities has three doors that are not locked during business hours and currently have no identification standards set for admittance. You have been tasked with resolving this issue technologically. Using a mixture of Biometric devices, surveillance systems with advanced tracking for biometric tags such as gait analysis, and other items or technology you deem necessary, you must capture these individuals and stop the thefts. You need to produce a plan on how you are going to tackle this situation. You should submit a proposal with the following items: 1) What is the situational breakdown? 2) What is the technology you will use to secure access to authorized individuals at the three public doors? 3) What is the technology you will use to capture the individuals in the act of stealing items?
Instructions
Scenario Exercise:
Your company Acme Logistics has recently been experiencing some thefts of equipment during the business day. All employees have been asked about the thefts and no one is claiming that they are responsible. Your facilities has three doors that are not locked during business hours and currently have no identification standards set for admittance.
You have been tasked with resolving this issue technologically. Using a mixture of Biometric devices, surveillance systems with advanced tracking for biometric tags such as gait analysis, and other items or technology you deem necessary, you must capture these individuals and stop the thefts. You need to produce a plan on how you are going to tackle this situation. You should submit a proposal with the following items:
1) What is the situational breakdown?
2) What is the technology you will use to secure access to authorized individuals at the three public doors?
3) What is the technology you will use to capture the individuals in the act of stealing items?
4) What is the anticipated cost to the company?
5) What is the anticipated roll out time frame?
6) Are there any legal issues we must be concerned about?
Please answer these questions as a business proposal for your boss to review and approve. It is anticipated that the assignment will be between 4-6 pages long, and writing quality (APA) will be enforced, do include a list of references and sources, if necessary.
On a local, state, and federal level, programs and services are available for those in later adulthood. What supports are available in your local community for individuals 65 years of age and above? Do you see any gaps in services? Given we are now living longer, do you believe the current array of resources is adequate to meet the growing need of those in this age group?
On a local, state, and federal level, programs and services are available for those in later adulthood. What supports are available in your local community for individuals 65 years of age and above? Do you see any gaps in services? Given we are now living longer, do you believe the current array of resources is adequate to meet the growing need of those in this age group?
