Reading for Research

Why should you look at images, films, and audio sources as you read for a research project?

People now consume information in many different ways.

Which of the following web addresses is most likely a reliable source of information about what a particular federal agency is designed to do?

one that ends with .gov - The federal government has a very strong interest in making sure citizens understand the mission of each of its agencies. All government website addresses end in this way.

Which part of this graphic novella would be most useful for analyzing how the CDC represents itself to the public?

the beginning of Part 2, which takes place at CDC headquarters and depicts doctors and scientists at work

How can primary sources help you complete a research assignment that requires analysis?

you can analyze them as evidence for your claim.

Which of these strategies is mostly likely to help you read more efficiently for a research project?

Analyze some of your sources side by side.

Why is Wikipedia considered an unreliable source of information for serious research?

Anyone can modify the content in a Wikipedia entry at any time, so you cannot assume that the information has been written or verified by experts in the field.

Are these documents primary or secondary sources?

For the purpose of this particular research assignment, the documents on this page are primary sources--you would use them as examples of "messages" created by the CDC. A good secondary source would be one that was written by someone outside the CDC who is also examining the agency's history or its approach to its mission.

What is the main advantage of reading informational sources in pairs or groups?

It can make your research and reading processes more efficient. - Comparing and contrasting two sources often helps you identify key components of each source, such as its purpose, audience, style, and tone.

What two key pieces of information about the CDC's zombie approach does the second podcast provide?

It describes how the CDC's zombie-based campaign began and the purpose it was meant to serve. It also describes how another public health organization has followed the CDC's lead in their own efforts to engage citizens in its work.

What do the more recent communications from the CDC suggest about the way they see their audience?

The more recent publications suggest that the American public has become more cynical about both the role and the relevance of government.

What "story" is suggested by the image in this poster?

The poster suggests a situation in which someone needs to take drastic measures to protect herself, perhaps by hiding or fleeing the scene. The image also hints at the pop culture topic of a zombie "pandemic."

Which of these documents would provide useful insight into the CDC's recent attempts to prepare citizens for a major disaster?

The second source--the blog post from 2011--is by far the most relevant. The first document, while it deals with emergency preparedness, is addressed to an audience other than the general public. And the third document, while it includes references to zombies, was written to help schools teach children about infectious disease.

How do the image and the words work together to send a message?

The words clarify the purpose of the poster, which is to urge the public to prepare ahead of time for disaster and to remind them that the best way to prepare is to make a plan and gather supplies.

Why is it a good idea to include a variety of different source types and formats in the reading you do for a research project?

These days, individuals and groups have many choices about how to deliver a message, and they understand that their audience members have many choices about how to consume these messages.

What role do primary sources usually play in completing an advanced research assignment like the one in this course?

They can serve as examples or evidence for analysis. - Documents and other media produced for a particular purpose can help you understand what was happening at a particular time in history or what the author or group of the source hoped to accomplish.

What kinds of texts or documents did you encounter on this page?

an online informational article, a timeline infographic, and two posters

In general, what types of sources are suitable for use in a research project?

only sources that relate to your topic and can be verified as factual or authentic - The sources you choose can (and should) vary in terms of authorship and format; however, they should help you answer your research question, and they should be easily verifiable as accurate or, in the case of primary sources, as authentic--actually written or produced by the author or organization.

What two factors should you consider when selecting sources for use in a research report?

relevance and reliability or authenticity

In most cases, which part of a web address reveals most about its reliability as a source of information?

the last three letters