CAPOW

Today’s class was all about research. How to formulate it, how to find it, and how to filter through the good and the bad sources. The lecture today connected to what we read in chapter 5 which was all about research. Today’s class was helpful and I learned new things about research that will be helpful for our next paper. As a way of teaching us how to map out our topics and find sources Professor Evans showed us YouTube videos, which were an easy and helpful way to learn.
The first video was a mind mapping video; you map out all the factors that connect to your topic so you can have an idea of what to search for. You pick one factor and created a research statement. With this mind mapping process you also brainstorm synonyms for concepts. This helps develop terms to search for when conducting research. The second video was about website strategies when using search engines, I found this video informative. Everyone knows you must be specific in what you’re searching for but I was unaware that putting quotes around a word made it a phrase, therefore easier to find. All of this information makes it easier to find what you’re looking for when using search engines. Today in class we were told numerous times to not use Wikipedia as a source because it is unreliable and can be altered by anyone; however one video showed us how Wikipedia can be used for good. Instead of making Wikipedia your main resource you use it as a basis for your research, it can make you aware of people and things in your topic. Wikipedia can also be used for references, you can learn about important terms and phrases. One of the last videos I found to be the most helpful, especially because of the acronym CAPOW, this is used for website evaluation. You must check for currency, make sure the information is up to date. Authority credentials, contact information and references must be cited. Purposes, when looking for the purpose of a website make sure you check the URL and look for .gov and .edu. Objectivity is next; make sure the author is not biased toward the subject. Last look for writing styles and make sure it is written clearly with no errors. With these videos and the help of the chapter, looking for research should be a breeze