Research Log #1

12/28/2012

I've started my research by first learning about what I'm researching about.  I'm writing on dangers to the Great Barrier Reef, but first I need to learn more about the Great Barrier Reef.  These are the sources I've found so far.

"Oceans: Great Barrier Reef." National Geographic. Web. Feb. 2013

This is a great source because it is from National Geographic an extremely reliable source when it come to wildlife, animals, and everything nature or history.  The video provides images of the coral reefs and fishes and a narration describing different species.  The video also mentions dangers to the reef which is a great starting point for my research.  Although the video provides information about the reef it does not go into depth on specific species of fish, sponges, or mollusks, only a general overview.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. About the Reef.  Australian Government. Web. 16 Feb. 2013

This source is one of the best I've found so far.  It comes from a reliable source, the Australian Government and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.  This website provides pages and pages on the Great Barrier Reef.  How its managed, the biodiversity, facts, and the outlook for the reef which will be great information as I go deeper into my research.  This source also includes pictures and contact information.

A third source I've found relates to climate change and is one of the first sources I found that actually talks about dangers to the reef as it's main topic.

"Climate Change May Kill Great Barrier Reef by 2050 -- International Herald Tribute." News.  The New York Times., 2 Feb. 2007. Web. 16 Feb. 2013

I like this article because it is more of popular source as compared to a scholarly one.  This source would be a nice addition to my research because it gives information that the average reader without any background on the Great Barrier Reef could find interesting.  The article provides basic facts and quotes many scientists.

Another article I've found is opposite of the one above and is a scholarly article.  I have yet to read the whole thing and highlight important information that would be useful to my paper.

Hoegh-Guldberg, O. "Coral Reefs Under Rapid Climate Change and Ocean Acidification." Science. 318.5857: 1737-1742.  PubMed. Web. 16 Feb. 2013.

A fifth source I've found come form BBC which I think is a great perspective from a non-American source.  It portrays how the Great Barrier Reef affects everyone globally.  This is also a video.

"Climate Change Threatens Great Barrier Reef." BBC. fast:track. 2012. Web. 16 Feb. 2013.

So far I only have online sources for my research and my next step will be to go to the library to find books or scholarly magazine or articles in print to use as my research to make sure I have a wide range of mediums for my sources.
I really need to find more scholarly articles and really dive into the dangers that the Great Barrier Reef faces and possibly narrow the dangers down to just climate change or how humans affect it.

Academic Integrity

To me academic integrity is an essential part of being a student at Clemson.  Without it our degrees wouldn’t hold the same value and we as a community would lose not only our reputations as honorable students but also our trust in one another.  To have integrity means you hold yourself to a higher standard and act accordingly everyday.  Integrity is important both in and out of the classroom, both in our living communities and social events.  We need to abide by a set of moral rules to not only build a strong community but also encourage others to do the same.  While at Clemson academics come first and foremost to me and to make sure I get the most out of my education I need to know it has extreme value.  

The role of academic integrity throughout Clemson’s classrooms and courses provides me with the comfort of knowing I am getting a quality education and the degree I am constantly working for will hold much value when I finally attain it.  To me one of the most important aspects of academic integrity is fairness among all students in their own individual work.  I believe that if I have to spend my own time and put my own effort into working on my academics other students should abide by the same idea.  I like to know that I did the best I could possibly do on my own without potentially negative assistance and that others followed this ideal too.  I believe that instructors, teachers, and professors list these rules and policies to help their students and to make sure that what they teach reaches every student in an accessible manner.  When a student disregards these rules they are hurting themselves, their instructors, their fellow students and Clemson because they are lowering themselves to a dishonorable level. 

I pledge to do my own work when directed, never cheat on a test, never steal someone else’s work, and to make sure that I not only put forth my best effort and work but also make sure that others’ best efforts and work stay their own.  I want to be proud of the work I accomplish here during my four years here.  Having academic integrity will not only guide me to accomplish individual assignments but lead me to earn a valued degree and hold myself to a higher standard.

WW #3 Procrastination Problems

Starting my Visual Rhetoric paper was never a problem, but finishing it was.  The assigned readings in the DK handbook and Envision really helped when it came to finding and choosing a picture.  The example papers and step-by-step processes in the books made it fairly to easy to choose a picture because it gave you the knowledge of what to look for when picking a visual.  The reason I choose my photograph was because I knew I would be able to write about: write about the author's argument and how it relates to today's current culture.  My first draft was also fairly easy to accomplish because I was laying out my ideas on paper for the first time and continued to elaborate on them to a certain depth without any research.  However, finalizing my paper has so far proved to be somewhat difficult.  I have my ideas typed out but it’s the further elaboration of my thoughts that’s putting my progress to an almost complete stop.  

So far I’ve learned I really need to take the time to brainstorm more instead of diving right into the writing process.  I need to create a structured outline and research more before I really begin any draft.  Otherwise I will get stuck at the point I am now: searching for more detail. This paper has actually really helped me get back into a writing process this semester; it’s the first paper of my spring semester and I know many more are to come.  Being the first paper of the semester, I have had a hard time just sitting down and focusing on my writing.  I feel that analyzing and writing will help me get back into the swing of things for the rest of the year. Now, because of this paper, I know I should put more time into my paper on a daily basis as opposed to working numerous hours on it during the weekends.  

From now on my goal, when writing any kind of paper, will be to try to write or add at least a paragraph of thoughts and ideas each day in the rough draft process.  Hopefully, this will help with my procrastination problem as well as brainstorming and putting my ideas into words.