Chelsea DiValerio

This week we read about research methods, the different types of research we can find, and what it means to research rhetorically.  We read from Praxis, and we also read “Googlepedia” by Randall McClure.

From Praxis, we learned that researching rhetorically involves using ethos, or the credibility of a writer.  Ethos can be incorporated into papers by utilizing knowledge from everyday experiences and “borrowing” credibility of sources through quotes or paraphrases.  The most credible sources to research are books, peer-reviewed journals, and news magazines. 

There are two main types of research: primary and secondary research.  Primary research involves interacting with your subject, especially through interviews.  However, primary sources can also be classified as standing alone and not interpreting anything else.  This could be novels, poems, diaries, and fictional films.  Secondary research occurs when you analyze, collate, or synthesize primary sources.  Most research papers consist primarily of secondary sources, such as books, scholarly journals, government documents, web pages, magazines, and newspapers. 

“Googlepedia” by Randall McClure discusses the way students research nowadays compared to how their teachers want them to.  Students are more apt to begin their research on google or Wikipedia.  McClure says this should be your “presearch.”  It should just give you an overview of your topic from both sides before you take a stand and go more in depth.  Students tend to start here because it is fast and efficient, but McClure says that you are not necessarily getting the best information.

During the two case studies of Susan and Edward, McClure found that neither of the students checked the credibility of the authors of their sources.  They knew how to check the URL and how up to date the articles were, but they never checked the author.  McClure gives us the CRAAP test for our sources.  We must check the currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose of the sources. This way we ensure their credibility.

McClure also gives us a list of 8 steps to follow when researching a topic.  These steps are a combination of how students usually research and how teachers usually research.  It allows the students to start in Wikipedia to get a sense of the topic before moving to google to verify information.  As the research process goes on, the students will utilize more academic and library databases.  This will help them really narrow their research so they can make stronger, more credible arguments.