Project #3 involves the collection of primary data through library/text-based research involving both "academic" (or "scholarly") texts and "popular" texts (such as newspapers, news magazines, et.c) . It consists of seveveral steps:

1. You should use group(s) you've been working on for Project #1 and Project #2 and conduct research in Joyner library, making use of networked and print-based texts that connect to your project. You are required to keep copies of all your texts and to use either MLA or APA citation styles.
2. Produce an annotated bibliography (10 entries) which combines academic and popular texts related to your group (or a possible "topic" that involves your group). You will be supplied examples from the professor.
3. Two Research Reflections (3 - 4 double-spaced pages). These two "reflections" should be informal in nature, but that doesn't mean you won't demonstrate extensive engagement with your fieldnotes and annotations of texts. You should hand these in at two different points in the process, noted on the course schedule.

Again, Project #3 isn't an essay yet, only the collection and annotation of texts that you may (or may not) use to support/enhance/develop some of the topics you choose to write about based on the group(s) you're researching. (See below for Reflection assignments.)

Reflection #5

For homework, you created an annotated list of "texts" (academic and popular) that you found that somehow connected to your chosen group(s). For this reflection, I want you to move beyond the individual annotations and reflect more broadly on how these texts connect/disconnect to/from each other. To that end, write a one page (single-spaced) reflection/analysis on these two main questions:

1. Identify the main points/arguments of each text, who makes them, and how these points connect or disconnect. Are authors/scholars in disagreement on key issues with your group? What are they? Why are they in disagreement? Where do they agree? How do you know?
2. What questions has this text-based research raised for you? What new questions might you ask of other texts? What new questions might you ask in interviews? What new artifacts might you look for or watch for during observations?

One page, single-spaced, please, in Times New Roman 12 pt. font. Be sure to include a Works Cited page in an appropriate format (MLA or APA).

Reflection #6: Major Projects Proposals

While Reflection #4 suggested possible topics you'd develop post-Spring Break, Reflection #6 asks you to write three paragraphs, one devoted to each of the topics you will write about. The first paragraph should address your "academic research paper"; the second should be your revision of that paper into a "popular" text of some sort, including your format and where you would try to place this text in order to reach your chosen audience; the third should be your explanation of your popular text intended for an ECU audience and your discussion of where you're put it/publish it to reach this group.

Cover Memo

The purpose of the Cover Memo is to give you a chance to reflect and analyze your experience so far on this research project. It is not enough merely to list what you've done or thought, but also explain it, to make it make sense.

As you stop to take a snap-shot of your research project, consider some of the following questions:

1. How has your text-based, academic research affected your knowledge of your research group? What did you learn in your readings that you didn't know? What was confirmed for you that you already knew?
2. What pieces of data stand out for you now, seem most relevant? Why?
3. What was the easiest part of academic research so far? Why?
4. What was the most difficult part of academic research so far? Why?
5. What avenues of exploration seem most important to you now as you begin to think of your post-Spring Break projects? Did your library research suggest any new questions for interviews? spaces for observation? possibilities for surveys? other avenues of library research? Explain.

This document should be typed, single-spaced, in Times New Roman 12 pt. font.

Research Packet #3

Please include the following items in your second Research Packet. Remember, this packet should be a two-pocket folder, preferably with NO hole-punch binder in the middle.

1. Cover Memo
2. Reflection #6
3. Reflection #5
4. Annotated Bibliography (15 - 20)
5. Blog Postings

In your folder, please put items 1 - 3 in the left-side pocket (make sure you name is on EVERYTHING); please put items 4 - 5 in the right-side pocket. Please keep the items in the order they are listed above.