Has your opinion on the research process changed? Does it seem any easier? Examine how you have done research in the past, do you recognize areas that you will do different now? Write a few hints to yourself (and other classmates) about things you have learned or realized in this course that you could review before starting your next research project for a class in the future.
Yes, my opinion on the research process has changed, and it does seem easier now. I used to do most of my research on the internet, and did not look as much to printed sources and journals. My chosen topic for the research project deals with geodesic domes. I did not realize before that Google offered a book search and an image search. Since the geodesic dome is a recognizable object, I would like to include some references to images in my research report. In this class, I have gained new respect for the Library of Congress subject headings and printed ready reference sources such as the Statistical Abstract. While the Statistical Abstract may not have much to do with researching geodesic domes, the volume has a lot of good ready reference information. Additionally, the Library of Congress subject headings suggest additional areas to search on and to consider adding to the research process--like domes, arches, and architectural elements.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Blog Reflection 2
Spend some time reflecting on what you have read and participated in the past few weeks. Has your opinion changed about libraries?
Libraries are great places for discoveries. I am fairly familiar with libraries but did not realize that so many different things are available through various libraries. Some libraries even have Starbucks', like CSULB. The reference assignments introduced me to some books that I would probably not have reached for, like the statistical abstract.
Do you think that libraries are not needed now that we have almost constant access to information on the Internet?
We need libraries more than ever. Libraries should be a part of daily life. Not everything is available on the internet, and not everything on the internet provides credible or creditable information. One of our assignments showed how easy it would be to be seduced by a fake scientific website--until the aha! moment when one realizes that it's all a game. We need to be selective and discerning about information found on the internet. Anybody can post anything on the internet and make it look legitimate, at first glance. Caveat emptor.
What role does the Internet have in YOUR life?
The internet plays a big role in my life. I go to school via the internet, read the news on the internet, keep up with my e-mail on the internet, and even shop on the internet. Probably my two biggest uses of the internet are for taking online courses and reading The New York Times. I could live without the internet, but it makes school, mail and news that much more accessible.
Libraries are great places for discoveries. I am fairly familiar with libraries but did not realize that so many different things are available through various libraries. Some libraries even have Starbucks', like CSULB. The reference assignments introduced me to some books that I would probably not have reached for, like the statistical abstract.
Do you think that libraries are not needed now that we have almost constant access to information on the Internet?
We need libraries more than ever. Libraries should be a part of daily life. Not everything is available on the internet, and not everything on the internet provides credible or creditable information. One of our assignments showed how easy it would be to be seduced by a fake scientific website--until the aha! moment when one realizes that it's all a game. We need to be selective and discerning about information found on the internet. Anybody can post anything on the internet and make it look legitimate, at first glance. Caveat emptor.
What role does the Internet have in YOUR life?
The internet plays a big role in my life. I go to school via the internet, read the news on the internet, keep up with my e-mail on the internet, and even shop on the internet. Probably my two biggest uses of the internet are for taking online courses and reading The New York Times. I could live without the internet, but it makes school, mail and news that much more accessible.
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