Week 12: Evaluating Information & Academic Research

Introduction

Research - something that  we all have to do at some point in our life. This week in our FYE Classes, we learnt how to properly evaluate and  use information as well as how to conduct the process of research.

This is truly shocking and legitimate information that I didn't make up(5)

Class Discussions

(1)

On Monday's class, we briefly went over the "CRAAP" test (best acronym ever) and our Peer Leader, Taylor, demonstrated how to use Galileo. Furthermore, she showed us how to narrow our search and which database to use when looking for information to use in our research. Afterwards, Doctora McGrath asked us to determine whether the articles on her Power Point slide where true or false. At first, it was tricky to determine which ones were accurate and which ones weren't. Eventually I got the hand of it by checking the source as well as the actual information in the article. Some of the articles had really funny and weird titles. Using "common sense", you could figure out that some of the articles were obviously fake. Sources such as CNN and BBC are well-trusted whereby one could assume that they were reliable. On the other hand, Articles made by "The Onion" were fake since I knew that they were a satirical website. It was really fun guessing/figuring out which articles were real. At the end of class, Doctora told us to craft a question related to our Major and find an academic and non-academic source to assist in the research to that question and fill out on a table for Wednesday.

A Door Hinge (2)

Given such freedom to choose whatever topic I wanted felt like a blessing to a curse. Knowing my indecisiveness, I would probably spend more time choosing the topic as opposed to actually getting information about it. To remedy the problem, I decided to think of  the most boring topic that I could possibly fathom. After deliberation,  I decided to do something related to door hinges (pretty boring lol). I spent some time brainstorming the physical and chemical properties of door hinges as well as the real life applications of door hinges and their current limitations. I further narrowed down by research to compare the sustainability of Aluminium and Steel door hinges. Finding a non-academic source(3) was literally a Google search away. On the other hand, finding an academic article(4) was tricky. I had to ensure it followed the requirements of the "CRAAP" Test.

Unaltered photo taken circa 2019 (5)

On Wednesday's Class, Dra. McGrath wasn't their due to prior commitments. Instead, Taylor was in charge of the class. She gave us a sheet to evaluate our non academic source and compare it with our scholarly source. After filling it out, I was able to determine that while my non-academic had information relevant to my research topic,  it wasn't suitable since it failed to meet the other criteria. On the other hand, the scholarly article that I chose was able to pass the "CRAAP" Test.

Reflections

I totally didn't make this up (6)

It's important to learn how to properly use information in Research to avoid embarrassing yourself and looking like a pillock. From what I've learnt in class, I would say that I'm more prepared to properly use and evaluate information in my academic and non-academic life. I was also made aware of the dangers of fake articles. In the modern era, we are plagued with the burden of determining what's factual and credible and what isn't. It's pretty easy to create a fake article. Last year, me and my friends used to make a few funny articles that were fake. Although we used it as a means of entertainment, other people may use it as a weapon or tool to spread hate or misinformation. Hence, we have to  carefully evaluate what we read as the information presented to us shapes the way we feel and think. All in all, I hope we all learn a thing or two about how to utilize and appropriately evaluate information. 

Sources and Links

Photo Credits

1.) https://blogs.furman.edu/library-news/2018/09/17/the-craap-test/

2.)https://www.art.com/products/p48916388872-sa-i11110739/emily-wilson-romania-brasov-detail-of-church-exterior-wood-door-hinge.htm

5.) Photo courtesy of Emma Williams 

Websites Used

3.)Non-Academic Source: https://ihinge.com/shutter-hardware/stainless-steel-shutter-hinges/

4.)Scholarly Source: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/9/10/1661/htm

6.)Totally Legit Info that I didn't make up: https://www.worldgreynews.com/details/16911/study-shows-that-231-4-of-all-statistics-are-made-up-on-the-spot

Week 11: Preparing for Registration & Meaningful Inquiry

Introduction

6am 4th November, 2019. The day registration for Spring 2020 begins. Why though?...Inquiry(probably not a meaningful question I just asked). This week in class, Erin Martin, our Honors Advisor, visited to discuss Registration. In Wednesday's class, we discussed meaningful inquiry.

Me trying to come up with powerful questions (1)

Class Discussions

On Monday's class, Erin Martin thoroughly explain the process of registration. She explained terms such as 'RAN', 'CRN' and 'holds'. She showed us the process of registering through wings. For science classes with a lab, we had to select the class and lab with the same letter. Summer classes were also explained in which you can take them as a regular term or half term in which class times were twice as frequent. She also showed us a SOAR registration planner (which I should've used) for planning our next semester. She also explained online courses  and E-core to us. All in all, Erin Martin was extremely helpful in helping us to understand the process of registration.

Before Wednesday's class, we had to read an article called "The Art of Powerful Questions"(2). When I read the article, some of the content in it were similar to that of effective communication and discussions which I had previously learnt in FYE and English class. This article was just a helpful reinforcement of what we already knew as well as a useful tool on crafting and critiquing powerful questions. 

In class, we were asked to fill out a table about the table and write a question about anything discussed in FYE. Afterwards, we were given another paper to write anonymously about anything that has occupied your time recently and to craft a question that would enable one to carefully assess and evaluate what was previously written. I'm going to be honest- I struggle to come up with interesting questions and ideas on the spot so I took some time to do it. We critiqued the questions that were on the first paper. Afterwards, we were paired off into groups of two to discuss the second paper that was filled anonymously . Rachel and I were  placed in a group and we had to discuss the paper shown below:

These two questions were truly anonymous. The majority of students in my class were taking a Bio Class and I assume a lot were busy. Rachel and I couldn't relate to the " being busy situation"  and I couldn't relate to the lengthy Bio Lab Report (last time I did a Bio Lab was in 2016). I guess we got sort of distracted with the question but we still critiqued it. The question about lengthy Bio Labs was somewhat subjective in terms of 'lengthy'. The question sounds more like a complaint than a question(totally understandable). Maybe the question could be rephrased to talk about the scrupulous detail in the documentation for the lab reports.

The other issue written on the other paper was more detailed. Furthermore, the person gave an explanation as to why they feel like they have no free time. The question this person asked was really a proposal for a solution in which they wanted to know how they can get time to breathe and relax. This class was probably the first time in a while in which everyone was having an engaged conversation with each other. 

Class Discussions

Currently, my Major is Mechanical Engineering. I'm pretty sure I won't change majors because Mechanical Engineering is a really broad field which gives me the opportunity to specialize for my Master's. Prior to enrollment, I have earned credit for Calculus I&II ,Intro to Physics I&II, Survey of Chemistry I&II and Elementary Statistics from A-Levels in High School (Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exam). Currently I'm doing a 16 credit hours for Fall 2019. Based on my credit hours, I  believe I can graduate a semester early in Fall 2022 if I wanted to. It was really tricky to pick classes for the Spring Semester because there's some professors and classes that I want to take at conflicting times but I figured it out eventually.

In the long-run, I believe that being in the Honors program will help me in my career path and will also help me grow as person. With respect to the four foundations of the Honors Program, a Global Perspective would assist me in understanding people of different backgrounds as I intend to do my master's degree and further my career path in either Canada or England. The sense of Civic Responsibility will direct me in using my knowledge for the greater good of humanity. In my case, I intend to specialize in renewable energy. The Spirit of Creativity and the Critical Sense of Inquiry will assist me in my field because as an engineer, you need to have a very creative and logical way of thinking.

Whilst on the topic of inquiry, "The Art of Powerful Questions" really helped me to improve my sense of Inquiry in a meaningful manner. According to the article, we focus too much on getting the right answers rather than asking the right questions. In essence, good questions need to be thought-provoking and stick to the listener's mind. Not focusing on the correct things/aspects when asking a question really stood out to me because maybe we all do this to some extent and ignore the real questions. Imagine a world where everyone can come up with powerful questions that would shape humanity into a better world.

Final Thoughts

Screenshot of the course search (3)

This week has gotten me prepared for Registration on Monday. Learning about making and critiquing questions will help us as Honors Students to develop a critical sense of inquiry. I hope to use this knowledge when crafting my Honors Thesis or in any research or problem that I may encounter.Being in the Honors Program will help me with my career goals. It is an Honour to be a part of the Honors Program(Pun Intended).

Sources

Article Mentioned

2.THE ART OF POWERFUL QUESTIONS: Catalyzing Insight, Innovation, and Action

by Eric E.Vogt, Juanita Brown, and David Isaacs

http://umanitoba.ca/admin/human_resources/change/media/the-art-of-powerful-questions.pdf

Photo Credits

3.Screenshot taken from https://my.georgiasouthern.edu/courses/

1.Image  taken from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI-5uv4wryI