MCOM
100 – Research Paper #1
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Content Evaluation
Directions:
In this assignment you will be comparing information in three different types of printed periodicals on a topic of your choice – as long as it has to do with the mass media. The types of periodicals are: 1) Scholarly journals, 2) Trade journals and 3) Popular magazines. Basically, you are going to compare and contrast the ideas/information that are presented in each of these types of periodicals.
First pick a research topic that you are interested in (i.e. media violence and children, copyright law and policy, stereotypes in television, etc…). Then search for articles on this topic. You must find one article from each of the categories discussed above (scholarly journals, trade journals and popular magazines) and each article must be on the same topic. Please refer to the handout from the library session if you are not sure which type of periodical that a particular article falls into. You can also ask a reference librarian or me if you are not sure. Please note that your articles must come from a printed publication, so exclusively on-line journals and magazines are not acceptable. However, on-line versions of printed publications are acceptable. Finally, your articles cannot be book reviews.
While reading each of the articles please consider the following issues:
· In general you will be comparing/contrasting the quality and quantity of information that you find in each article.
· How reliable are each of the articles – do you believe what they are saying? Why?
· Is the style/format/language of these periodicals different or the same?
· Is one easier to read over another?
· Does the information vary across each article? If yes, why do think this is so?
· How much information is in each article?
· Does the quality of information vary across each article?
· Who do you think the audience is for each article and how does this influence the way it was written?
· What conclusions can you draw from each article?
· Why do you think each one was created?
· What are the potential social implications that could result from each of your readings? How does the content impact society?
· Other issues that you find important.
Your paper should address some of the issues listed above. It should be 2-3 pages and follow normative guidelines for manuscripts – 12 point type, double-spaced, 1 inch margins, etc…
Turn in your paper and staple a copy of the first page of each article that you are using at the end of your assignment.
Due: October 5th at the
beginning of class.