Living Sources - Response

Here are the three points from the readings I found to be important for data collection.

1. Making Contact: Obviously for an interview it is crucial to get to first-hand contact with the interviewee. The first things to consider are the methods in which you will contact them- start with the most personal (yet convenient) methods- meeting with them, then if that is not an option- telephone, email, and then finally mail if the former are not available options. Meeting with them is great because you can not only listen but observe gestures, both of which give you more perspective on the ideas you're searching for. 

2. When making your list of questions, create many possible branches, as you're probably not even going to use most of them. This is alright though, as interviews are supposed to be conversations*** not surveys being completed. This will create more synergy with you and the interviewee, allowing a more comfortable setting and thus a more flowing and efficient conversation.

3. Survey Design: Surveys shouldn't be too long, as should be kept short (6-7 questions max). Also it's important to remove all bias from the questions, as they will skew the data. In addition, it should be clear and concise with instructions. The person(s) taking the survey should know exactly what is being asked of them, if they are confused it will also affect the data. Avoid loaded questions that include presumptions into them, as well as vague questions that (as stated before) would confuse the reader(s). 

Researching Evaluation

1. I learned that there are many people against environmental reform (due to economic reasons), and it seems that there are even more against it than for it, surprisingly. I believe that I have a solid start but it is far from finished, as I need to elaborate more on additional instances where society clashed with government causing environmental reform, much like the Rachel Carson- Silent Spring example given.

2. I believe a literature review section supports and backs up my points- it solidifies and justifies the research being done on the environment to help shed light on the issues at hand in a constructive manor.

3. Right now, my research is very up to date with the current views of those who want environmental reform and who see its value in society.

4. I expect to contribute a greater understanding of the importance of environmental issues (and that action needs to be taken now) to the society who either was simply uninformed, or informed but given a "slanted" perspective on the issue.

"Quotation Sandwiches"

On an article about properly using quotations, Graff (2011) inquires "To adequately frame a quotation, you need to insert it into what we like to call a "quotation sandwich,"  with the statement introducing it serving as the top slice of bread and the explanation following it as the bottom slice"(Graff 46). Irony aside, I believe the usage of quotation sandwiches is crucial to any solid quotation, as it makes sure it covers not only the follow-up, but also the reasoning following the quotation.

"Then say I say" Reflections

1. It is important to frame your quotation
2. Do not incorporate "Hit and Run" quotes into your work
3. Create "quotation sandwiches"- start your quotes with solid lead-ins via strong action verbs or otherwise.

To begin, framing your quotes is important because it allows your reader to understand where you're coming from in regards to using the specific quote for your idea. If the readers are in the dark about a quotes meaning in a context that only you understand, you must incorporate why you said what you said to the readers so that they gain a better understanding. Through this your quote gains merit in use with your own ideas.

I'll be sure to steer clear of "Hit and Run" quotes in my paper. These are quotes that are just included into your idea without sufficient background information on them, or leading up to them. There needs to be synergy when applying quotes to your work, and readers will be confused if you do not properly tell them its relevance.

"Quotation Sandwiches" are a great way to add quotes into your work. As stated above, by the use of powerful lead-ins (action verbs etc.) and sufficient information, the quote gains purpose in meaning. Through this gain, the quotes now become something of the original authors and your own- you've successfully incorporated it.

Questions Cont.

I am writing about how philologists' ethics regarding experimenting have changed over the years, because it is interesting so see how they have changed and evolved over time. I am going to focus on their ideals regarding these experiments (ethics).

I am writing for anyone who is interested in learning about the field of psychology, and I hope that what they get out of this reading is how the field became what it is today, due to the experiments that were conducted.

I am expecting to find some pretty drastic changes, even in a short period of time as psychology is a relatively new study, in comparison to other fields. During its early years (those of Freud, etc.) much was discovered in such a short period of time. It will be interesting to see how other psychologists added or edited to theories of early psychologists, using their own unique experiments. These are some of the things I would like to discover during my research.

As I stated before, I hope to discover how drastic (or not) these experiments changed, due to the ideals of ethics in the field, and how the ethics changed as the field progressed.

Evaluation of Research Questions

After reviewing the questions presented over my three questions, I think it is safe to say that I would be able to sufficiently answer all the questions. My questions are open enough to trigger other ideas, and being as they are over my major (psychology) I feel quite strongly about them. I do not believe that there  will be any problems with my research, given my choice of topic's relevance.

Brainstorming

Topic - Psychology (my major (profession))

What are some of psychologies applications in the real world?
What does it mean to be a psychologist in this day and age?
Why is psychology so important to us today?

I asked these preliminary questions while brainstorming, as I thought they were more than worth mentioning. For the first question, applications of psychology are crucial for me to know as I'm going to be going into the working world soon and I will need to know what the most relevant applications are in the field of psychology, in order to be a more effective worker. As for the second question, I thought that it would be important to find out how the field of psychology has changed and been updated over the years. Being a rather new field of study in comparison with other fields, there is much that can be discovered by us, the new upcoming workers of tomorrow. My last question has to do with the second, in that it deals with psychology's relevance to us. As we learn more about the human mind, we can discover new innovative methods at treating otherwise incurable illnesses.