Blog #12
Documents and Artifacts - If you are not completing research with human subjects, but are examining documents, artifacts such as artwork, music, food, etc or employing autoethnographic methods, what will you need? How much will you need? How will you analyze your documents/artifacts and present them to the reader? What questions do you have about methods and data collection at this time and how will you respond to them?
- Most of my paper is going to be an autoethnography with cited sources to backup my story or theories. I need to analyze my artifacts and first determine if they are useful within my story, either in supporting me, or being my opposition. I will also need to make sure that they still make the story flow, so it doesn’t seem like a commercial break of factual knowledge. I need to make sure that I am showing facts, but at the same time not interrupting the flow of the paper. My methods are very basic, and the data collection as well.
Blog #11
Writing up Research: Method and Research Design
This article gives a thorough, yet brief explanation of how to do methodology in a research paper, and why it is so important. The articles lists everything in a bullet format, as well as discussing anything that needs more explanation. The part that stood out to me the most was the “Overview” section, where it explained where the methods should be listed in a research paper. It was like a guide of how to incorporate your methodology into a research paper, while maintaining a flow withing the paper. The article was very helpful.
Blog #9 “Close Readings”
Sexual Identity: Sex Roles and Social Change
By: Betty Yorburg
“Closed Reading”
* Chapter 1
- Starts with trying to define the term “identity.” Relates it to self confidence, and esteem.
- Defines the term “sexual identity” Uses it more as gender roles more than an actual sexual attraction term. Says that it is something learned from infancy onwards.
- Discusses ideals of masculinity and femininity. “If people in a society define beautiful as feminine and brilliant as masculine, a female who is brilliant and unattractive (unattractive by the society’s standards) will feel unfeminine and undesirable.”
- Explains how if one sex is stereotyped into certain things (handsome, smart, etc.) when the other is not, it affects the goals women and men will seek.
- Discusses how the gender roles are passed down from each generation.
- Explains how women are viewed to be polite and proper, and any woman who is aggressive and dominating will eventually feel guilty and unfeminine. (this is a stretch in my opinion)
- Explains that the term “male and female” exist in every culture.
- In this paragraph, she explains that the term “identity” is not found in all languages, and cultures. (interesting)
- Goes on in the next paragraph to explain that the term didn’t exist because the notions it represents were not the source of problems. People rarely questioned or were confused about who or what they were.
- Says that in “rapidly changing, highly industrialized societies that identity tends to become vague, unstable, and debatable.”
- Says “We cannot live without agreed-upon roles. We cannot have an orderly social life unless people know what to expect of one another in recurring social situations.”
- Says that “we now can have identities.”
- Addresses the problem that there is relatively little interest in this topic until recently.
- Addresses that only recently psychologists have began to do tests on variable that may affect sexuality.
- “I have used quotations from contemporary autobiographical sources to illustrate, sometimes quite dramatically, the internal dimension of identity or self image as this varies, typically, in major areas of the world”
- Describes her view on scientists.
- Explains how the study of sexuality is only recently been highly involved in studies.
- Starts to describe how environment affects various thought processes during pregnancy
- Gives a brief history on anthropology, and how it relates to sexual identity.
- Describes how Sociology plays into the topic. Also how different prejudices affect sexuality.
- Personality development is said to be an important role in developing sexuality. (source is used)
- Explains how different social living conditions play a role
- The roles people play differ within various societies
- Sex typed role expectations are always played out in combination with something else (i.e. parent, spouse, lover, warrior)
- Females are taught to be more emotionally express than men.
- The next 3 paragraphs, she explains her Purpose and Plan.
- She describes how other people have attempted this research and what she plans to do differently.
- She gives a transitional ending paragraph to move on to the next chapter.
- Starting chapter two, the author explains how men and women are made up differently in a variety of senses. She explains how anatomically, that the ratio between a male and female in relation to muscle, and fat ratio, that this has been a basis for assigning different chores and privileges to men and women.
- Explains how men have a stronger sex drive than females, or at least that is the idea amongst people. This is also a basis used for marital issues, when a guy is more common to have multiple partners.
- She begins to discuss variations in biology and environment, and how people focus on abnormal chromosomes rather than normal chromosomes.
- She explains in vivid detail that she is not trying to answer the question in biology versus environment in establishing the sexual identities of men and women.
- She explains studies that have been done between sexes, old and young, rich and poor, that have been observed, measured, praised, and bemoaned in contemporary societies? Males are achievement oriented, as women are nurturing, and sexually restrained. (cites a source for this)
- Male and female biological differences – the author starts to explain how chromosome differences may indirectly affect sex role behavior, however, since they affect the sex ratio. But then she stops, and says “I will come back to this point in a moment.”
- Explains the entire differences between chromosomes. Differences between X and Y chromosomes.
- Describes how one brother can grow up to be a priest, and the other a murderer. This is explaining how genetics make a little difference, as compared to experiences that are learned through growing up influence decision making.
- Starting chapter two, the author explains how men and women are made up differently in a variety of senses. She explains how anatomically, that the ratio between a male and female in relation to muscle, and fat ratio, that this has been a basis for assigning different chores and privileges to men and women.
- Explains how men have a stronger sex drive than females, or at least that is the idea amongst people. This is also a basis used for marital issues, when a guy is more common to have multiple partners.
- She begins to discuss variations in biology and environment, and how people focus on abnormal chromosomes rather than normal chromosomes.
- She explains in vivid detail that she is not trying to answer the question in biology versus environment in establishing the sexual identities of men and women.
- She explains studies that have been done between sexes, old and young, rich and poor, that have been observed, measured, praised, and bemoaned in contemporary societies? Males are achievement oriented, as women are nurturing, and sexually restrained. (cites a source for this)
- Male and female biological differences – the author starts to explain how chromosome differences may indirectly affect sex role behavior, however, since they affect the sex ratio. But then she stops, and says “I will come back to this point in a moment.”
- Explains the entire differences between chromosomes. Differences between X and Y chromosomes.
- Describes how one brother can grow up to be a priest, and the other a murderer. This is explaining how genetics make a little difference, as compared to experiences that are learned through growing up influence decision making.
- The author continues to supply cited facts about the topic, along the way giving educated opinions for anything that she couldn’t find an exact source on.
-The author ends with giving a synopsis on her research, telling us her thesis, and telling us the answer to her thesis.
Article 2 : Twin and Sibship Study of Overt Male Sexuality by: Franz J. Kallman
- The author starts off his paper very different from the first article. He basically dives right to the point, and starts to cite sources immediately.
- Explains that there is no gene that determines sex partner, or sexual preference. Also cites a source for this as well as a source to describe the counter arguments.
- Discusses views on same sex behavior.
- Starts off paragraph with a header. Begins to explain chromosomes, and supplies with sources.
- The next paragraph he explains his theory.
- This paragraph is full of sources. He explains how sexual identity is a freedom of choice. Also says that a variety of factors contributes to the decision making, such as how one was raised as a child, to something as simple as scents. So many sources.
- Uses the term “schizo-sexual”, in relation to how people can change their likes and dislikes almost at random. Quoted/cited from 3 experts in the field.
- Begins with the header “Organization of the study”.
- He explains in vivid detail, how he planned the study and carried it out. This to me is him talking about methods.
- He introduces a table to help explain his research, and to break it down into a easy to understand format.
- “The genes controlling the sex ratio act through the endocrine system, especially the sex hormones, and may even be identical with the genes controlling the male-female sex hormone balance.
- At the end he starts the conclusion by stating, “In Conclusion” and he wraps everything up.
- This article seemed to be more sources based, and gave off a strong tone of the author knew exactly what he was talking about. I have more faith in this source than the prior.
2) Next, answer the following about both articles: What is the difference between the introduction and the lit review? In what ways did the authors attempt to hook the reader’s interest? What are the a) purpose/objective, b) significance/importance, c) main research question, d) methods, e) results, and f) final conclusions/recommendations for future research and where in your outlines from item 1 above can each of these be found?
- The introduction is almost like a proposal. You are explaining what your paper is going to be about, and trying to hook the readers interest. The lit review is the actual “meat and potatoes” of the paper. It is presenting information from the research you have done, and describing what you have learned through cited sources and information. The lit review is the authors chance to prove that he/she knows what they are talking about.
- In the first article, the author tried to hook the readers interest by telling “stories” about people, or what if questions. In a way, this helped to gain more of my interest, than the second article. The second article was straight to the point, fact after fact.
- The purpose of the first article is discuss and attempt to answer questions about sexual identity that have yet to be answered. The author hopes to do this by citing sources, and readings. She introduces this in the very beginning. The second article’s purpose is to prove the fact that genes do not have an affect on sexual identity. The author discusses this in the opening.
- The significance and importance of both articles is that they are trying to answer tough questions that have yet to be truly answered.
- The first articles research question is “Is sexual identity decided from genes, or by social outcomes?” The second articles research question is “Is homosexuality genetic or not?”
- The methods of the first article were partly asking people questions, and partly research, along with some educated opinions. The second articles methods were 100% cited sources to prove his point.
- The results of article 1 was that various factors play into our developing sexual identity. Article 2 resulted in stating that genes do not affect our sexual identity.
- The conclusion of each article was basically summarizing the original question with the results.
Blog #8
The introductory paragraph of any paper is possibly the most important part of any paper. The intro is what gives off the first impression of your paper, and partially oneself. If someone can make the opening sentence interesting, it can hook the audience into reading more of that paper. If the opening is intriguing, then the reader will assume the rest of the paper will be, (and it should be anyway.) The article “The Introductory Paragraph, Start With a Great First Sentence” by Grace Fleming really explains why it is so important that the beginning of your paper needs to be perfect.
Blog #7
Analyzing sources can seem to be a daunting task. Luckily, it can be easier than it seems. The best way to find out if a source is credible is to read its’ bibliographic citation. This is a list of sources the article has used to present the information to the reader. It’s kind of like a table of contents for the sources that were used. It is important that if you find a source you think is useful, to read into the source to make sure it is credible. The things to look for are that the author is credible in some way. When was the last time this source was written or revised? Who published this article? What was the intended audience for this article? Also, it is also good to be able to decipher if the author was bias towards opinions, and just stuck to facts, or vice-versa. It may also be helpful to read reviews on an article, but keep in mind that all reviews are opinions.
Blog # 6
- Double-space the text of your paper, and use a legible font (e.g. Times New Roman). Whatever font you choose, MLA recommends that the regular and italics type styles contrast enough that they are recognizable one from another. The font size should be 12 pt.
- Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks (unless otherwise instructed by your instructor).
- Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides.
- Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin. MLA recommends that you use the Tab key as opposed to pushing the Space Bar five times.
- Create a header that numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. (Note: Your instructor may ask that you omit the number on your first page. Always follow your instructor’s guidelines.)
- Use italics throughout your essay for the titles of longer works and, only when absolutely necessary, providing emphasis.
- If you have any endnotes, include them on a separate page before your Works Cited page. Entitle the section Notes (centered, unformatted).
I went back to my blog assignment, and formatted my citation use. I think if you read up on what formatting you want to use (in my case MLA), it is pretty clear on what needs to be done, and how to go about doing it. The second document I used to help explain things was: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
Blog #5
“Critical Thinking Towards Critical Writing” introduces ways to think critically while doing research. The article tells you how to be an interactive reader evaluating the article you are reading, highlighting and taking notes. It is more of an active process. It also discusses how one should always reread something. This enables better understanding, and gaining more value from the read. Simply remember the 5 steps, determine the thesis, begin to judge context, distinguish kinds of reasoning, examine the evidence, and lastly, evaluate what you have read.
Linda Flower “Writing for an Audience” broke writing for an audience into three different parts a knowledge, attitude and needs. This really helped me understand how to make sure how to interest the reader from beginning to end. Knowledge – what does your reader need to know? If you don’t have the knowledge of what you are writing about, you’ll sound like a jackass. Attitude – she discusses how our attitudes can influence or blind the true reality of knowledge. Needs – she discusses how as a writer, I need to be able to change to be able to interest my reader, and succumb to his/her needs.
Colorado State university made different sections about the audience as well. They talked about the different types of audiences. They made you look into how to become aware of the audience you are writing for, as well as discussed how not to assume the adience will understand what you are talking about.
Blog Entry #4
1) What is your major research question or concern? Why are you curious about this? What led you to have an interest in this topic?
Identical Twins: The Search for Sexual Identity
Identical twins; one is heterosexual, and the other is homosexual. Why did this happen, how, if there even is a reason?
I am curious about this topic because I am heterosexual, and my twin brother is homosexual, and I wanted to find if there is a reason behind sexual identity, if so, what is it? If not, is it a choice, what influences the choice, etc. Also I would like to describe primary research on personal accounts on how other people react to me (heterosexual) as compared to how they acted/treated my brother (homosexual).
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2) State or list at least 5 assumptions about this topic and be specific. For example, “I think that steroid use is not regulated as strongly as it could be in American professional football.” Next, re-write these as specific research questions that you can answer in your writing. The previous question could be written in a number of different ways – I want you to write as many possible questions as you can! For example, “Who is responsible for regulating….?”; “Why is steroid usage so prevalent in…?”; “What attempts have been made to prevent steroid use in…?” These questions will help you create the majority of your research writing.
1.) Sexual Identity is decided by genetics.
- Studies cannot prove this to be true.
W. Byne and B. Parsons
Human Sexual Orientation: The Biologic Theories Reappraised
Arch Gen Psychiatry, March 1, 1993; 50(3): 228 – 239.
Questions
-How can sexual identity be proven?
2.) If one identical twin is gay, the other must be gay as well being as they share genetics.
- This is false. I know this from personal experience.
Questions
-How does genetics affect sexual identity?
-How does experiences shape sexuality?
-Do any of the above topics have an impact on sexuality?
3.) The opinions towards people do not change when sexual identity is known.
This is false. Many people’s ideas about an individual change if they know that the person’s sexual identity is “queer.” It is viewed by some to be unnatural, or wrong.
Questions
- How an individual’s rights change due to their sexual identity?
- How does sexual identity change lifestyle?
4.) All gay men act feminine.
5.) Questions
- How does sexual identity affect speech, and actions?
- Is it just a lifestyle change? (i.e. for acceptance into the gay community)
6.) All gay men want is sex.
Questions
- Does sexual identity change sexual habits? ( In the form of how many times they want sex.)
3.) Regarding your topic, what has already been done? How is your research different? What contribution will your research make? The above questions in #2 should help you identify what types of research may have already been carried out. NOTE: YOU WILL HAVE TO DO SOME RESEARCH IN ORDER TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS…this is the most important step of research planning and if you F%$& this up your life will be miserable later. YOU MUST HAVE at least 5 sources of info at this point from refereed journals to help you complete this assignment.
My research is different because it is giving personal feelings from identical twins (my brother and I), and how we went through it all. Most of this research is primary. Very little research has been carried out on this, or at least very little research articles have been published on this topic.
- Sexual Identity is genetic among twins. No evidence supports this.
W. Byne and B. Parsons
Human Sexual Orientation: The Biologic Theories Reappraised
Arch Gen Psychiatry, March 1, 1993; 50(3): 228 – 239.
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4.) Describe the methodology you will use to undertake this research. For example, will you carry out interviews? Will you develop a questionnaire? Be as explicit as possible and explain every step of your research and then go back and explain again in even greater detail!
- I plan to research about sexual identity among identical twins. I also plan to describe my own personal experiences, early assumptions once my brother revealed his sexual identity. This will be like a autobiography on my brother and I, with refereed sources to explain how one finds sexual identity.
5.) List at least 5 places where you can reasonably submit your manuscript for publication or work for exhibition. Create a link to each source’s information for authors (click me to view an example). Begin researching the topic you think you’ll most enjoy writing about. Your topic should be one that you have a natural curiosity about and that you feel you can successfully write about.
- http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/authors_journals_submit_write~db=all
- Any conference or symposium in which your topic is relevant. (exhibition)
Free Writing (02-02-2010)
writing about gay and straight issues can be a very hot topic, and by hot I mean that not everyone agrees with gay issues, but isn’t that what would make my paper partly awesome? I love to get people pissed off about topics…but would it get people pissed off…I don’t think…it is an exciting paper about two identical twins that are close…and one twin is straight, and the other is gay……although the only thing that worries me is if I can take the paper all the ways I want to….meaning I want to dive into the “how did he turn gay…how am I straight” question, but I also want to tell the “story” of how things were when it was discovered that my twin was gay….how people treated him differently…how they treated me…..how they related our relationship……assuming that I was gay…………I want this to be a very interesting topic that someone can read from start to finish…and when it is all over they can have a new understanding for a variety of things….and maybe in their mind go “wow”, or if they had an idea that they hated homosexual people, maybe it can change their minds….I am also worried about research, because as far as I am aware, there is no research on if sexual identity is related to genetics or not….I read once that it was, but then I read again and it was found false…..it can be confusing. this is my topic.
