Unit 03 Assignment 01

Research Log Entry

I chose to change my topic for this assignment. Below, is my updated "sizing" activity.

1. Topic string – Art
   Art is often divided into more specific categories according to technique, form, genre and style. Photography is a form of visual art.
   
   
   
   • Broadest Topic – Photography
   
   Although it is important for photographers to have a clear understanding of both the technical and compositional elements of photography, having adequate equipment and supplies can also make a significant difference in the outcome of a photograph.
   
   
   • Next Broad Topic – Photographic Equipment
   
   There are several different types of photographic equipment including film, lenses, filters, etc. However, the camera is definitely the most basic piece of equipment (not to mention the most important).
   
   
   • Narrower Topic – The Camera
   
   Over the years, the basic point and shoot camera has evolved as a result of several technological advancements. Single-lens reflex cameras have now been replaced with touch-screen digital cameras. But where did it all begin? The basic foundation for the construction of today’s cameras was built upon the idea of the Camera Obscura, or the Pinhole Camera – a lensless camera with a small hole (or “pinhole”) through which light passes and enters to form an image on a light-sensitive medium such as film.
   
   
   • Even Narrower Topic – Camera Obscura/Pinhole Camera
   
   (Side note: Cameras and equipment can be quite expensive. However, Pinhole Cameras can easily be made by using common household materials. Making and using a pinhole camera will acquaint you with the basic elements of photography while providing an inexpensive and interesting way to take pictures.)
   
   
2. Think of two questions that you could ask about your topic
   a.What is a pinhole camera?
   b. How does a pinhole camera work to produce a photographic image?

Catalog Search Results

Bibliographic Information

• Author – (German) Günter Derleth with additional texts by Paul Liebhardt and Pia M. Grüber. (Translation from German) – Suzy & John Godsey
• Title – Venice: Camera Obscura
• Edition - Edition Stemmle
• Place of Publication – (German) – Zurich and (Translation from German) – New York
• Publisher – (not specified)
• Date of publication – 2000
  

Additional Information

• Location - Oversized Stacks (ff)
• Call Number - TR650 .D47 2000
• Status - ON THE SHELF
  
  
  

Subject Headings

• Venice (Italy) - (Pictorial Works)
• Photography, Pinhole (Catalogs)
• Photography, Artistic (Catalogs)
• Derleth, Günter, 1941 (Catalogs)
  
  I chose to use the Subject Heading “Photography, Pinhole” because it was most relevant to my topic. This gave me Select the subject heading that is most relevant to your topic. After following this link to the Subject Heading Index, I found that there was only one result for that particular subject heading. Therefore, I had an equal number of results through the use of subject headings as I did through the use of a keyword search. Because there was only one result for each search, I was presented with the same information. Luckily, from what I could tell, the information was relevant to my topic. However, in other instances, I would assume that subject headings would provide results that are most relevant because the search is more refined to a specific topic.
  
  Using subject headings is very similar to the idea of "sizing" your topic. In fact, the concept may be much easier to grasp if one considers it as simply "sizing” the results search. When you do a keyword search, you are presented with results which contain any, one, none, or all of your keywords (the keyword(s) is similar to your “broad/large topic”). From here, you can select a result which is more relevant to your topic (this selection is similar to your “next broad topic”). After doing so, you are then able to further refine your search by using subject headings. You are now able to choose a subject heading which is most relevant to your topic (this selection is similar to your “narrower topic”). Once you have selected a subject heading, you are taken to the Subject Heading Index. Here, you are presented with results that are not only related to your keyword, but mores specifically, refined by your subject heading. Hence, the result you choose is more likely to be extremely relevant to your topic (these results can be considered your “narrowest topic”).
  
  Although both keywords and subject headings are programmed searches through coding, they have different characteristics. The differences between key words and subject headings are as follows:
  
  
• Keywords use unstructured language | Subject Headings use structured language
• There is no human intervention in the use of keywords | Subject Headings are assigned by humans
  
  Ultimately, although keyword searches may return several results, subject headings are more refined and will return results that are even more relevant to a specific topic.
  

Unit 02 Assignment 01

Research Log Entry

• Topic string – Atmospheric Gases
  
  Nitrogen gas makes up about 78% of the volume of the Earth’s atmosphere – making it the most abundant atmospheric gas.
  
  
• Broadest Topic – Nitrogen
  
  However, most plants & animals can not use nitrogen directly from the air. This nitrogen has to be converted into “usable” nitrogen compounds in order for it to be used by plants and animals.
  
  
• Next Broad Topic – Usable Nitrogen Compounds
  
  The process nitrogen must undergo in order to become usable by plants and/or an animal is called the nitrogen fixation process.
  
  
• Narrower Topic – 3-Step Nitrogen Fixation Process
  
  During this 3-step process, nitrogen is combined with hydrogen to create ammonia (NH3) or ammonium (NH). Then, a nitrite-forming bacterium combines this ammonia (or ammonium) with Oxygen to create Nitrite (NO). Next, a nitrate-forming bacterium adds Oxygen to the nitrite, forming Nitrate (NO3), which is absorbable by plants. These plants absorb the Nitrates, and break them down into Ammonium.
  
  
• Even Narrower Topic – The breakdown of Nitrates into Ammonium for use in building Amino Acids.

Think of two questions that you could ask about your topic

1. How do plants break down Nitrates in order to form Ammonium?
2. What are Amino Acids composed of?
   

Unit 01 Assignment 02

Research Log Entry

1. What question did you try to answer?
   
   What size is the ecological footprint in Europe?
   
   
2. What terms did you select to begin?
   
   To begin, I selected three terms:
   1. Ecological
   2. Footprint
   3. Europe
   
   
3. What web search engine or engines did you use?
   
   I used Google, Yahoo! Search, and Ask.
   
   
4. Search Techniques
   
   a.) What search terms did you use?
   
   I used different variations and combinations of the terms “ecological,” “footprint,” and“Europe” to conduct my search.
   
   b.) What search techniques did you use?
   
   I used two techniques, in which I used different BOOLEAN operators to refine my search. For this search, I used two sets of search terms:
   
   
   1. Ecological Footprint/Europe
   2. “Ecological Footprint” +Europe

   
   

5. Evaluation
   
   a.) How did you evaluate your results?
   
   This time, I chose to use C.A.R.D.I.O. to evaluate my results. Using this method, I was able to evaluate the results in terms of Currency, Authority, Relevance, Depth, Information Type & Objectivity
   
   b.) What conclusions did you draw about the different search engines?
   
   
   • What the same?
     
     Each search engine has a similar design and gives users the option to search the web for information images, maps, and news.
     
     
   • What was different?
     
     Although the search engines were similar in design and features, each search engine had a variety of different search features. Below are the links to the extra services/features offered by each search engine:
     
     http://www.google.com/intl/en/options
     http://tools.search.yahoo.com/about/forsearchers.html
     http://sp.ask.com/docs/about/site_features_a11.shtml
     
   
   
   • Differences in number of results
     
     In both variations of the search, Yahoo! Search returned the most results, followed by Google, and then Ask. In the first search, Yahoo! Search and Google returned a comparable number of results (Yahoo! Search - 1,930,000 and Google1, 490,000) while Ask returned a much lower amount (62,000). However, in the second search, Yahoo! Search returned a high number of results (1,050,000). In comparison, Google and Ask returned a relatively low number of results (Google - 94,300 and Ask - 136,700)
     

   
   

   
   c.) Why do you think the search engines behaved as they did?
   
   As I have just learned, Yahoo! Search now claims to be the largest search engine available on the web. Yahoo! Search searches about 22 billions sites for results pertaining to each search – this is most likely the reason behind the high number of returned results. Both Google and Ask refine their results in terms of popularity (which results are viewed most). However, Ask, like Yahoo! Search, also refines its results according to relevance. This implies that these search engines returns results which have information pertaining to the search topic. Perhaps this is why Ask seems to return a lower number of results than both Google and Yahoo! Search – it is more refined (limiting its returned results to those that are both relevant AND popular).
   
   
6. What other questions came into your mind as you carried out this exercise?
   
   While conducting these searches, I began to wonder how the size of a nation’s ecological footprint is determined – what statistics and/or factors are taken into account?
   
   

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Research Log Entry

1. What is Delicious?
   
   Delicious is a web tool that gives users the ability to bookmark, tag, save, manage, and share web pages. Here, you can save web pages which you have found interesting and/or wish to share with others. You may also view other web pages which have been tagged.
   
   
2. What is the advantage of this Web 2.0 tool?
   
   Some advantages of using Delicious may include
   
   
   • Saving Web Pages – this allows you to revisit these web pages in the future without having to conduct another search
     
     
   • Tagged Web Pages – a convenient search tool which will return results of web pages containing tags similar or related to your search
     
     
   • Ability to Manage Saved Web Pages – allows you to sort and organize pages according to your own preferences
     
     
3. Do you think you might use it? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
   I may very well use Delicious. It seems to be a convenient and useful web tool which will make searching the web more efficient. I like the idea of being able to save, tag and manage web pages which I have taken an interest in – this is much easier than having to search for the page every time you wish to revisit it. The ability to tag and manage saved web pages is very appealing – allowing users to categorize their saved pages proficiently.

Unit 01 Assignment 01 Part 02

Research Log Activity

1. What question did you try to answer?
   
   How does deforestation affect global warming?
   
   
2. What search engine or engines did you use?
   
   I used Google and Yahoo! Search to research my topic. I chose these two because I have used them in the past and have therefore become more familiar with them.
   
   
3. What search terms did you use?
   
   I used 3 different sets of search terms.
   
   1. deforestation affects global warming
   2. deforestation and global warming
   3. deforestation or global warming
   
   
4. How many results did you get when you entered your terms? How many did you get when you used OR? Which set was bigger? Can you figure out why?
   
   Here are my results for each set of search terms:
   
   1. deforestation affects global warming
   
   Google – 502,000 Results
   Yahoo! Search – 2,100,000Results
   
   2. deforestation and global warming
   
   Google – 933, 000 Results
   Yahoo! Search – 6,900,000 Results
   
   3. deforestation or global warming
   
   Google – 932,000 Results
   Yahoo! Search – 6910,000 Results
   
   
   Clearly, the results were much higher when you use the word “OR” in your set of search terms. This is because unlike the word “AND” which indicates that both components are present, the word “OR” indicates that either one or both components are present. Therefore, it will return more positive results.
   
   Evaluation (http://todaysfunda.com/global-warming-and-deforestation/)
   
   
5. What questions did you use to evaluate your results?
   
   Rather than using C.A.R.D.I.O to evaluate my results, I evaluated my results in terms of the following:
   
   Currency – Is the information up to date?
   
   Yes (December 15, 2008)
   
   Credibility – Is the source credible?
   
   The writer has not cited any outside sources, nor does she have any listed credentials.
   
   Coverage/Depth – How detailed is the material?
   
   The information is accurate. The author provides a lot of information which explains why and how deforestation affects global
   warming.
   
   Bias/Accuracy – Is the material subjective?
   
   For the most part, the article was factual and informative. However, the author did make a few calls to action. She is clearly an
   advocate of preventing global warming.
   
   Quality/Content – Was the information presented professionally (clear, well-written and organized)?
   
   Yes. The writer presented the information clearly. The piece was well written and well organized.
   
   
6. What conclusion did you draw about the value of the site and why?
   
   Although the information seemed factual, the author did not have any credentials nor did she post any outside sources to verify her claims. Furthermore, it was quite clear that she was against global warming. For this reason, I would look at a few more sites to verify her claims.
   
   
7. Having conducted this research activity, what questions came into your mind that you could use to continue your exploration?
   
   As I conducted this research one of the questions that came to mind was “How can we help prevent deforestation?” and furthermore, “How can we help prevent global warming?”
   

Unit 01 Assignment 01 Part 01

Research Log Entry

1. There were a number of concepts presented this week.
   
   a.) Which did you know already?
   
   Of the concepts introduced this week, I found that I was already quite familiar with a number of different concepts such as the evaluation criteria of web/print resources, search engines, and Boolean operators. We had covered these techniques during my communications class. We were able to use these tactics in order to effectively research topics for our speeches.
   
   b.) Which were new to you?
   
   Although I was already somewhat familiar with the different components of a URL (specifically HTTP, Server Addresses, Sub-Directories, File Names & Domain names), I now have a clearer understanding of what each component specifies. For example. I now know that if a URL contains a tilde, it may be personal page. Furthermore, I now know the two-digit codes used to specify other countries.
   
   
2. If you were given a research assignment and you chose the web as one strategy for your search, name three important evaluation elements you need to consider.
   
   If I were given a research assignment I would consider the following three evaluation elements:
   
   1) Currency
   2) Credibility
   3) Coverage/Depth